Gunshots rang out in Alexandra Street last night (May 11).

A police officer who was driving along Alexandra Street came under fire from alleged hijackers just before 8pm.

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According to a trusted source, an unknown number of men fired shots at the off-duty officer, killing him and fleeing in his white VW Polo.

The vehicle was tracked heading towards Weenen.

With the assistance of a car tracking device, police located the vehicle at a smallholding outside Weenen.

“When the K9 Unit arrived with police from Weenen and Estcourt, they were met with heavy gunfire and had to withdraw. When they returned, the vehicle was gone,” said the source.

The slain officer’s vehicle was recovered about an hour ago in Nhlawe Ngodini, in Weenen.

The police officer, whose name is known to the Estcourt News, was a constable at the Estcourt Stock Theft Unit.

Official comment from the police spokesperson is awaited.

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