A 37-year-old metro police officer was shot while issuing traffic fines to taxi drivers at the Baragwanath taxi rank in Soweto on Wednesday, Johannesburg metro police said.

Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said a group of officers were issuing fines to taxi drivers for washing their taxis on a public road outside the taxi rank in Diepkloof when gunshots were heard.

"They then realised that one of the officers was shot in the right leg and arm. They established where the shot came from and spotted a man who was running away and he was arrested," said Minnaar.

The officer was taken to hospital and was currently in a stable condition.

Minnaar said the incident would be investigated further. The gun used for the shooting had not yet been found.

Sapa