CRIME SCENE: Delft, Cape Town: The South African Police Services (SAPS) have arrested three people for a brutal axe attack on one of their own on Monday morning, 8 June 2026.

A media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Colonel André Traut, said the incident happened at about 02:00 while the constable was standing outside the SAPS Community Service Centre in Delft.

He was approached by a suspect with an axe, who struck the constable on the head, causing serious injuries.

According to Traut a fellow officer who witnessed the incident immediately responded and fired warning shots, causing the suspects to flee. They abandoned their vehicle and attempted to evade arrest.

“A coordinated pursuit by SAPS members and LEAP (Law Enforcement Advancement Plan) officers resulted in the arrest of three suspects, two men aged 23 and 25-years and a 23-year-old woman. The axe believed to have been used in the attack was also recovered,” said Traut.

The injured police officer was transported to a hospital for treatment and is reported to be in a stable condition.

The circumstances surrounding the attack are under investigation.