Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

Criminals seem to have responded first to Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu's controversial statement to "shoot to kill" criminals before the police even started practising the instruction.

On Friday two policemen were shot and wounded before being disarmed by four alleged robbers in Orange Grove in Johannesburg.

Police described the incident as an ambush.

Captain Phillip Maganedisa said it was clear that the suspects wanted to shoot and kill the police.

"Instead of their running from the police they charged at them, firing shots randomly," Maganedisa said.

"Their intention was to make sure that the police did not get a chance to fire back. But one of the officers managed to shoot and wound one of the robbers."

The four men had just robbed a house when the gun-battle ensued.

Maganedisa said police arrested the wounded suspect at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital on the same day.

"The firearms, cash and several items taken from the house have not yet been recovered," he said.