The incident happened on Friday morning.

Police Spokesperson Sergeant Shaan Motsapi reports that the driver of the truck had pulled over after he was stopped by traffic offficers.

“The driver got out of the truck to speak to the  traffic police officer. Suddenly, they both noticed an unknown man getting inside the truck and driving away.

“Both the truck driver and the traffic officer ran to the truck in an attempt to stop it.”

Motsapi states that the suspect pointed a firearm at the traffic officer with the intention to shoot at him.

“In retaliation, the officer drew his service firearm and shot at the suspect. The suspect sustained a gunshot wound on the forehead and the truck came to a standstill.”

Motsapi states that during preliminary investigations, the suspect was found to have used a toy-gun in committing the crime.

“The suspect was immediately arrested on the scene for theft of motor vehicle. He was subsequently taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

“He will soon appear at the Vereeniging Magistrate Court facing a charge of theft of motor vehicle.”

Read the original story here on the website of the Herald’s sister newspaper Sedibeng Ster:

Man shot and arrested after stealing a truck stopped by traffic offficers | Sedibeng Ster