The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department reported that a Nigerian suspect, allegedly involved in drug dealing, attacked one of its officers during an operation in Randburg, north of South Africa's biggest city.
JMPD said its officers were following a lead on the Nigerian suspect on Sunday afternoon and when they arrived at the scene, the suspect called for reinforcement, alleging he was being robbed.
According to a statement on Facebook on Monday, JMPD officers were on Sunday afternoon following a lead on the suspect when he (suspect) called for backup, claiming he was being robbed.
The city police in a statement said, "This led to a violent attack on one of the officers."
"During the ensuing events, two suspects were shot, one was critically injured and taken to Olivedale Hospital, and the other sustained a hand wound. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and subsequently arrested.
"Backup was requested and officers from the JMPD, SAPS and Gauteng traffic police responded to the scene.
"A third suspect, who transported the critically injured suspect to the hospital, was identified by the officers and apprehended.
"The officer's firearm was recovered by Douglasdale SAPS. A police vehicle was damaged in the course of the incident."
Lesiba Thobakgale, spokesperson for the South African Policing Union (SAPU), condemned the attack, stating that assaults on police officers are equivalent to attacks on the state itself.
Thobakgale advocated for such crimes to be deemed treasonous, emphasizing the government's responsibility to protect its law enforcement representatives.
Thobakgale said, "Police killings or attacks should be declared treason as it is a crime against the state and the state has a responsibility to protect police officers who are representing the state and not themselves.
"This action will show that the government is taking such barbaric acts seriously."
The JMPD said it has opened a case of attempted murder and public violence for further investigation.
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