This police officer was awarded for his bravery after he returned fire when he was shot in the back at point-blank range during a routine traffic stop.

Dramatic footage taken from the police car dashcam shows officer Nizaam Alexander drawing his gun and giving chase moments after he was wounded in the attempted roadside robbery in Cape Town, South Africa.

The officer called for back up and pursued the shooter before returning to the vehicle he had pulled over to issue the fine. It was only then he sought medical treatment for the bullet wound in his back.

The act of bravery earned Mr Alexander the title of the City of Cape Town's Departmental Traffic Officer of the Year 2015.

Footage of the unprovoked attack has since been made public and uploaded to LiveLeak.

The minute-long clip shows Mr Alexander approaching the driver's window of a Mercedes Benz after instructing it to pull over on the city's congested N2 motorway, in a known robbery hotspot.

The shooter, a man in a grey hoodie, jeans and a blue baseball cap, is seen walking through the bush at the side of the road before standing in front of the police car, putting himself in direct view of the dash cam.

He pulls a small handgun but it jams and he is forced to spend a few moments struggling with the weapon off camera.

Target: The gunman is seen approaching Officer Alexander as he makes a routine traffic stop on a motorway

Caught off guard: He silently approaches the officer before getting his attention by speaking to him

Point-blank range: The gunman demands Mr Alexander hand over his gun and shoots him when he refuses

The gunman then approaches Mr Alexander and says something that makes him turn away from the stopped car to face him.

He demands the officer hand over his firearm and shoots him in the back when he refuses.

Apparently protected by a bullet-proof vest, Mr Alexander immediately drops to the ground and takes cover behind the parked Mercedes-Benz before returning fire.

The officer is seen radioing for back up as he runs out of shot in pursuit of the man.

Response: After dropping to the ground and returning fire, Mr Alexander gives chase

Back up: He later returns with other officers and finishes issuing the traffic fine before going to hospital

After a few moments he returns to the scene with other officers, unable to catch the shooter.

Mr Alexander finishes issuing the Mercedes-Benz driver a fine for driving in a restricted lane before being taken to hospital, where he was treated for a flesh wound.

The City of Cape Town Traffic Services said: 'Even after traffic officer Nizaam Alexander was shot at point blank range he continued to perform his duties.