Three suspects have been arrested for a violent attack on a police officer in Delft this morning.

The Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, noted that the constable was allegedly struck with an axe by a suspect while on duty in the area in the early morning hours.

“At approximately 02:05, a police constable was standing outside the Community Service Centre when he was approached by a suspect armed with an axe. The suspect allegedly struck the member on the head, causing serious injuries.”

After seeing this unfold, another officer fired warning shots, causing the suspects to flee, even having “abandoned their vehicle and attempted to evade arrest”, said Traut.

Traut added that officers later managed to find and apprehend two men and a woman for the attack.

“A coordinated pursuit by SAPS members and LEAP officers resulted in the arrest of three suspects, two men aged 23 and 25, and a 23-year-old woman. The axe believed to have been used in the attack was also recovered.”

The affected officer is currently in a stable condition in the hospital, while the suspects have been detained pending the confirmation of their charges for the incident.

“The circumstances surrounding the attack are under investigation,” said Traut, adding that the SAPS have condemned the attack.