Robbery suspect shot during attack on reaction officer in Phoenix

A Robbery suspect was shot by a Reaction Officer during a scuffle in Phoenix – KZN.

The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Operations Centre received a call for assistance after two robbery suspects were seeing fleeing towards Gandhi Park after gaining entry into business premises in Phoenix – KZN.

Reaction Officers pursued the suspects on foot. The robbers concealed themselves in dense vegetation along a river upon noticing the approaching Officers.

RUSA Officer, Sihle Jali, was ambushed by the two male suspects during the search while back-up members were on foot & out of view in another area. The Officer was stabbed on his left arm during the scuffle. He thereafter drew his company issued 9mm pistol and opened fire. He shot one of his attackers in the groin.

The second suspect fled across the river and into a dense bush. It could not be confirmed if he had been shot during the attack. The injured robber was found in possession of a a knife used to stabbed the Officer, four Capitec ATM cards and an identity card that did not belong to him.

The injured Reaction Officer and the suspect received medical attention on scene before being expedited to hospital.