Four men face attempted murder and hijacking charges following a shootout with police on the weekend.
Four men face attempted murder and hijacking charges following a shootout with police on the weekend.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said members of the Alexandria SAPS received information on a vehicle that had been possibly hijacked at Paterson in the early hours of Saturday morning 18 January.
The Toyota Tazz was being followed by an off duty police officer who is stationed at the Port Alfred Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
The vehicle was travelling towards Alexandria according to Govender.
Govender said local police were on high alert as the vehicle approached Alexandria.
Three constables who were on duty tried to stop the vehicle which was carrying five male occupants who allegedly started shooting at them.
"The members returned fire, injuring one," she said.
The suspect was arrested and is currently under police guard in hospital.
Shortly thereafter, three more suspects were arrested on the R72 by a team consisting of the off-duty police officer, members of the Alexandria SAPS, and a member of the Port Alfred K9 Unit.
"A pistol with 6 live rounds of ammunition was seized and the vehicle was also recovered," Govender said.
The suspects aged between 27 and 36 face charges of hijacking, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle and attempted murder.
They are due to appear in court soon.
