A POLICEWOMAN is in custody after allegedly robbing worshippers at a church service yesterday.

Police say they arrested her at a nearby shebeen after an alleged accomplice, who was traced to the bush by a police dog, led them to her hiding place.

eThekwini metro police arrested the constable who is stationed at Brighton Beach after the attack on worshippers at Umlazi in Durban.

Metro police spokesperson Joyce Khuzwayo said they were patrolling at Umlazi V-section when they heard gunshots.

Khuzwayo said police proceeded in the direction of the gunshots and church members came running in their direction, with others screaming.

"Pastors reported that they were robbed by seven people carrying knives and sticks while they prayed.

"They also reported that the gang was accompanied by a lady, who had fired several shots. We were given a full description of the suspects," Khuzwayo said.

She said the police used a sniffer dog, which traced one suspect to nearby bushes.

The suspect led police to a shebeen where others were hiding.

"When the police arrived at the shebeen, they arrested four suspects, including a woman who was wearing a bloodstained jersey.

"It turned out that the seventh member of the gang was a police officer.

"The metro police officers accompanied her home to take the gun. She then confessed that she was a police member ."

Khuzwayo said four suspects were arrested. It is alleged that the woman had colluded with a gang to use her service pistol to mug worshippers.

She appeared briefly in the Umlazi magistrate's court yesterday and her case was postponed for further investigation.

Worshippers were conducting a prayer service at Naleni High School when the gang stormed the premises.

The gang allegedly assaulted them and demanded cellphones and money.

"Three suspects are still at large," she said.

Police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge confirmed that the constable was a member of the SAPS.

Mdunge said two congregants, Siyanda Nyawose and Nsikelelo Nyembezi, were injured during the incident.