A HIGH-SPEED chase by police which started in Bulwer yesterday, led to the death of nine suspected robbers, four of whom were shot on the N3 freeway near, Mariannhill.
According to KZN police spokesman, Lt/Col Thulani Zwane, police from various operational units conducted an intelligence driven operation in Bulwer after they received information on a planned robbery in the area.
“Observations were done and three suspicious looking vehicles were spotted in the area. The police officers monitored the activities of these vehicles. Two of these vehicles left the area and proceeded towards Boston and Bulwer while the third vehicle headed onto the N3 freeway towards Durban.”
Zwane said when police attempted to pull over the first two vehicles at Mpophomeni, they came under heavy gunfire.
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“During and exchange of gunfire, six suspects were fatally wounded. The seventh suspect was injured and taken to hospital under police guard. High calibre rifles and handguns were recovered from both vehicles. It was discovered that one of the recovered vehicles was hijacked in the Durban Central area,” explained Zwane.
Police again came under fire when they tried to pull over the third vehicle which was travelling on N3 freeway near Mariannhill.
“Another three suspects were killed during the shoot-out while one was injured and taken to hospital for treatment under police guard. Rifles and handguns were also seized from the vehicle.”
All the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the country. Cases of attempted murder as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were opened for further investigation. Inquest dockets were also opened following the death of the suspects.
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Major General Bheki Langa, KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner expressed his relief that no police officer was killed when armed robbers shot at them to avoid arrest.
“Every day our police officers are met with gunfire when they attempt to carry out their duties by arresting criminals. Police officers are always reminded to be operationally ready at all times. We will not be intimidated by armed thugs and we will continue to serve and protect the citizens of this province,” said Langa.
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