Community members in Eshowe, protecting housebreaking suspects, fired shots at three police officers, stoned them with bricks and stole their service firearms.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the officers were searching for housebreaking suspects at Mkhiwane Street in the Genzinsila area on Friday when community members attacked them.
"One of the three police officers managed to request back-up during the attack and other police members came to their rescue. Three suspects were arrested and they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms with serial numbers filed off. They were also injured during a shootout with police," Naicker said.
Two of the three officers are in a critical condition in hospital.
"The recovered firearms will be sent to ballistics to ascertain whether they were used in the commission of any other crime in the country. One of the suspects was charged for attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He will appear in Eshowe Magistrate's Court this morning whilst his accomplices still remain in hospital under police guard."
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: "We will make sure that these suspects face the full might of law".
"It is unacceptable that members of this community chose to protect criminals and turned on officers of the law instead," she said.
Please also vote in the Opinion Poll on the www.timeslive.co.za home page:
What should be done to curb gun crimes, such as the fatal shooting of national soccer captain Senzo Meyiwa?
Vote results so far:
- Search and seize all unlicensed weapons across SA - 30.77%
- More cops patrolling the streets - 11.54%
- Society must reject criminals in their communities - 57.69%
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
