Five Gauteng Traffic Wardens are recovering in hospital after being shot by a group of armed individuals during a routine patrol in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The incident occurred near the Daveyton Railway Station in the Ekurhuleni metro. According to officials, the wardens stopped a group of twelve individuals to conduct a search. The situation escalated violently when the group produced high-calibre weapons and opened fire on the officers.
The five wounded wardens sustained gunshot injuries and were subsequently transported to a medical facility for treatment. Their conditions are currently unknown.
The assailants fled the scene immediately following the attack. Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting.
Speaking on the incident, Ofentse Morwane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Community Safety Department, condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
“Any form of intimidation or interference with officers in the execution of their lawful duties is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Morwane stated. “Such an act demonstrates the disregard for the rule of law that is fundamental to maintaining a safe society.”
Morwane further emphasized that the department would not be deterred by such violence. “We will continue to intensify our operations targeting crime spots in the province and ensuring that we deal with lawlessness and criminality,” he affirmed.
The search for the twelve suspects is ongoing.
