A warrant officer from SAPS’ Organised Crime unit, was arrested after a sting operation that resulted in a shoot-out in eMalahleni last night, for allegedly attempting to solicit a R500 000 bribe.

According to the Mpumalanga police, an undercover operation was set up by the National Anti-Corruption and Intervention Unit after they received information about a policeman demanding cash for clinching a deal in a local coal mine.

At around 22:25 the member who is attached to Organized Crime at head office called the complainant about the money.

It is further said that the cash was dropped at a particular house thereafter the member is said to have collected the cash and left in a white Nissan NP300 bakkie.

It is alleged that the warrant officer opened fire on his colleagues when they tried to stop him. They returned fire.

He was injured in the shoot-out and arrested and is currently in hospital where he is under police guard.

The police managed to also recover an undisclosed amount of cash at the scene.

The policeman is expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of corruption and an additional charge of attempted murder.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded members for the arrest whilst condemning acts of criminality allegedly committed by members of the service.

“We can never allow a situation whereby members involve themselves in criminality. Internal investigations should also follow” says the general.