SASOLBURG – A spiritual pilgrimage turned into a bloodbath when a Free State police brigadier was shot twice by armed robbers while visiting the Klip River with her sister.
The senior officer was allegedly attacked by two gunmen who ambushed the sisters as they made their way back to their vehicle after performing traditional rituals on Sunday, October 11.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the incident has led to investigations into attempted murder and robbery.
The suspects allegedly demanded the vehicle keys and cellphones.
But when the brigadier reportedly refused to hand over the vehicle keys, one of the suspects allegedly struck her on the head with a firearm.
The gunman then instructed her to get into the vehicle while they searched it.
The situation took a horrifying turn when the officer was shot in the stomach while seated in the driver’s seat.
During the robbery, one of the suspects reportedly discovered a police reflector jacket inside the vehicle and alerted his accomplice that their victim was a police officer.
The brigadier was allegedly shot again, this time in the knee, before the suspects fled with her sister’s cellphone.
Police said both victims were taken to hospital following the incident.
A team of detectives, together with the Crime Scene Management Team, was dispatched to investigate the shooting and robbery.
“The suspects remain at large, and police investigations continue,” said Nevhuhulwi.
