By Celani Sikhakhane
- Two men in balaclavas shot at the Metro cop on Monday night while he was on duty in Pinetown.
- The latest attack comes after a first hit last year in Mbumbulu where three of the officer’s family members were killed.
A Durban Metro Police Lieutenant-Colonel was shot on Monday night in Pinetown, west of Durban. He was taken to a private hospital and is fighting for his life.
The officer was travelling from Durban Central to Pinetown when he noticed a white Toyota Yaris following his Ford Ranger. The Yaris had an unknown registration number.
As he approached his residential gate, the Yaris pulled up close behind him. Video footage showed two men wearing balaclavas getting out of the vehicle and opening fire with rifles.
Cross shooting broke out and more than 100 bullets were fired at the front, left and back of the officer’s Ford Ranger. He retaliated and emptied his magazine but missed both suspects. The officer sustained gunshot injuries to his face and right arm.
His identity has been withheld for security reasons. Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Boysie Zungu confirmed the officer was on duty at the time.
“For security reasons we won’t disclose much of the information including his name, but all cases are with the SAPS for investigation. We can confirm that this has nothing to do with his work,” Zungu said.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza said Monday’s attack was not the first time the officer and his family had been targeted. Three family members were killed in an attack last year in Mbumbulu, south of Durban.
The officer’s sister-in-law was also targeted. She was shot in Mpumalanga after being followed from Galleria. Magwaza confirmed there is an ongoing family dispute.
Pictured above: A Durban Metro Police officer recovers in hospital after surviving a second shooting attack.
Image source: Durban Metro Police
