Gunmen murder cop at roadside

A POLICEMAN was killed and another wounded when they were shot after a dramatic chase near Kinkelbos outside Port Elizabeth shortly after midnight yesterday.

The incident, on the N2 about 40km from the city, occurred at about 12.20am, according to a provincial police statement.

The two officers, who are attached to the Kinkelbos SAPS, were on duty, patrolling the N2 when they spotted a suspected stolen white Corsa bakkie.

The vehicle was occupied by a driver and four passengers, who were seated on the open back.

When the policemen attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped off in the direction of Port Elizabeth.

The officers gave chase to Sundays River, about 10km away, close to a construction site next to the N2, where they succeeded in getting the bakkie to stop.

But when the policemen approached the bakkie, its occupants began shooting. A 58-year-old sergeant was fatally shot in the head and a 42-year-old warrant officer was wounded in the shoulder.

The warrant officer is in a stable condition.

Police were alerted to the incident by the wounded warrant officer, who radioed his colleagues for help.

The names of both policemen cannot be released until their next of kin have been informed about the attack.