Western Cape police are investigating after a number of officers came under fire on Sunday and on Monday morning, which has left two police sergeants dead.

The two off-duty sergeants were shot and killed in two separate incidents in Khayelitsha on Sunday evening.

In one incident a 36 year old police sergeant, based at the Elsiesrivier police station, was driving in Solomon Tshuku Street in Site C at approximately 17:30 when a gunman approached the vehicle he was driving and fired several shots at the driver.

He was rushed to hospital where he later died.

A short while later, at about 18:00, another police sergeant was shot while he was with friends at Mandela Park by yet-to-be identified gunmen in an incident suspected to be robbery related.

The police sergeant was stationed at Nyanga SAPS.

Acting Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bongani Maqashalala says the management of SAPS in Province is disheartened by the loss.

“The two police officials were in the prime of their lives. They still had a lot to offer to the communities of the Western Cape. As the management of SAPS we will continue to keep the bereaved families in our thoughts and prayers.“

Two murder dockets have been opened for investigation with no arrests effected yet.

Female police constables shot

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, three SAPS members were admitted to hospital where they are being treated for gunshot wounds after armed suspects opened fire at their police vehicle at a mall in Nyanga.

Police say the suspects were fleeing the scene of an armed robbery on foot which they had perpetrated at a retail store inside the mall when they encountered the marked police vehicle with four SAPS members outside in the parking area.

In a bid to evade arrest, the suspects fired several shots at the members, wounding three female constables and narrowly missing the male constable who was the driver.

He managed to drive to a nearby hospital with his three wounded colleagues, where two are reportedly in a very serious condition.

The members are aged between 26 and 32.

The suspects who are estimated to be a group of six or more fled the scene in a silver Opel LDV with false registration plates, and are yet to be apprehended.

The Western Cape SAPS has appealed to anyone who can assist police with information regarding the incidents, to come forward by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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