Policeman shot in Randburg

A suspected robber and Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer were taken to different hospitals after being injured in a shootout in Randburg, north of Johannesburg, this morning.

A Metro Police Officer was wounded, as well as two alleged criminals who attempted to hijack a taxi on Jan Smuts avenue.

Photograph by: ALON SKUY The JMPD officer was shot in the abdomen and the suspect in the leg.

The shootout ensued after metro police gave chase to three suspects who had robbed a Randburg catering company at around 8:15.

Superintendent Noxolo Kweza said the suspects took a laptop and an undisclosed amount of cash after tying up everybody on the premises.

"They ran off and flagged down a taxi to escape," she said. "After the victims untied themselves, they alerted a metro police officer nearby who immediately gave chase." There were no other passengers in the taxi.

Kweza said both parties opened fire on the corner of Jan Smuts and Oxford roads and SA police arrived during the shootout.

The metro police officer was taken to Millpark hospital, while the suspect was taken to Charlotte Maxeke hospital. Another suspect was injured while running and is also in hospital under police guard. The third suspect escaped.

Police recovered two firearms and the two suspects are facing arrest upon release from hospital. Kweza said a court date has not yet been set.