Police on the hunt after officer shot

By Tando Mfengwana
26 March 2007

Police are hunting for an unknown gunman who opened fire on them after angry Hanover Park residents attacked police during the arrest of a rape suspect.

A police officer was shot in his right knee and three others were hit by stones and their vehicles were damaged when violence broke out, after the resident tried to lynch the suspect.

Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the angry mob that had gathered.

This follows the return of a eight-year-old girl who was abducted on Saturday at about 9am.

The girl managed to escape her captor, at around 8am and 9am the next day.

She was found in a field and returned home, where she told her family that she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

The 35-year-old suspect was found by the angry community, but police intervened.

Police spokesperson Captain Elliot Sinyangana said that they have been patrolling the area and arrest a man in possession of an illegal firearm.

A few members of the public were also arrested for public violence.

A case of attempted murder has been opened against the unknown gunman.