TimesLive reports that robbers travelling in three vehicles disarmed and kidnapped two traffic officers in Vrede in the Free State on Wednesday morning.

After fleeing with the officers, the kidnappers released them in Walkerville in Gauteng, 200km away, in the afternoon. The robbers also shot and wounded another police officer. Police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli said at about 11.10am, two female traffic officials on the R103 in Vrede stopped a speeding vehicle. “Two other vehicles joined the one that stopped. One officer approached the suspects and a firearm was pointed at her and she was instructed to come near the vehicle,” Kareli said. The other officer, seeing what was happening, tried to respond but rifles were also pointed at her and she was also instructed to approach the suspects. “Both officers were put in the vehicle and the suspects fled the scene,” Kareli reported. Vrede stock theft police, who reacted after receiving information about the kidnapping, came across the three vehicles and a shoot-out ensued. A female police constable was shot and wounded in the right leg. The suspects fled. The officials were disarmed and dropped off in bushes near Walkerville. They were found unharmed. The suspects are still at large. Vrede police are investigating a case of attempted murder and armed robbery.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLive
• Read too, Two Free State traffic cops kidnapped while on duty, at The Citizen
• En ook, Twee Vrystaatse verkeersbeamptes ontvoer, by Maroela Media

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