An unsuspecting police Constable from Welkom in the Free State was shot and wounded while filling up his state vehicle on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng says a robbery was in progress and three armed men had already gone into the shop where they stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
He says two accomplices were waiting outside in a white Polo with Free State number plates.
The incident happened just after 7 am.
Captain Thakeng says when the robbers saw a police vehicle they fired a shot wounding the Constable in his shoulder before stealing his weapon.
The suspects are still on the run and the officer is being treated in the hospital.
