Suspected hijackers shoot police office, bystander

A Mpumalanga police officer and a bystander are recovering in hospital after being shot by suspected hijackers. 

Provincial police said two suspects hijacked a Toyota Legend 45 in Rockdale, Middleburg, on Friday. 

"According to the information, after the vehicle was allegedly hijacked, members of Middleburg K9 pursued the vehicle which took the Hendrina Road direction.

"Members from Hendrina were activated and they spotted the vehicle which matched the description of the alleged hijacked vehicle.

"The joint efforts by both K9 members and Hendrina members forced the suspects to abandon the vehicle and seek refuge in the bushes while firing some shots at the police.

"Police had to protect themselves from the lethal weapons and returned fire. During the gun battle, one police official was shot in his left arm and one community member could not be spared from the flying bullets as a female bystander was also struck on her right hand side of the breast," said police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala. 

He said the suspects were then arrested.

"A firearm was recovered as well as the alleged hijacked vehicle.

"The injured police official and the community member were transported to different hospitals where they are recovering," said Mohlala. 

He said the men would appear in the Hendrina magistrate's court on Monday on two counts of attempted murder, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. 

Mohlala said they would also appear in the Middleburg magistrate's court on a charge of hijacking.

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