COPS in Elsies River in Cape Town came under fire while attending a shooting scene on Tuesday morning, 6 January.
The drama unfolded on Old Stellenbosch Road in Clark Estate. Cops had rushed to the area after reports of shots being fired. As they worked the scene, more gunfire erupted from the crowd.
A bullet struck a police van. The vehicle was damaged. No injuries to cops were reported.
The shooting caused panic. People scattered in all directions as fear gripped the area. The shooter managed to escape during the chaos.
Western Cape police spokesman Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the incident. He said cops were responding to a serious complaint when the situation turned violent.
"Elsies River police attended a complaint of a shooting in progress at Old Stellenbosch Road, Clark Estate," said Gwala, adding that on arrival, cops saw a group of people gathered at the scene.
"Upon arrival, they saw a group of people gathered, then they heard gunshots coming from the crowd," he said.
Gwala confirmed that a cops vehicle was hit during the incident.
"A police motor vehicle was damaged by a bullet during this incident," he said.
He said several serious cases have now been opened. "Cops registered a case of attempted murder, attack on police, and public violence for further investigation," said Gwala.
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The brazen attack has raised alarm among residents, who say crime on the Cape Flats is getting out of control.
A resident who witnessed the chaos said the shooting left many people shaken.
"People scattered all over as they feared for their lives, and the shooter also managed to escape when the people were running away," said the source.
The resident said it was shocking to see someone open fire on cops at a crime scene.
"Everyone is shocked that a person could actually fire shots at cops at a crime scene."
The source added that criminals are becoming more daring by the day.
"The level of crime at Cape Flats is shocking, and thugs are getting brazen by the day," the resident said.
After the shooting, more cops and law enforcement officers were deployed to the area. Their goal was to stabilise the situation and prevent further violence.
Cops are now appealing to the public for help to track down those responsible. Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111. People can also use the MySAPS App or call the City of Cape Town's tip-off line on 0800 1100 77.
Cops said all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality as investigations continue.
