A man wielding a firearm was shot dead by police in Msinga in the Umzinyathi District of KZN, yesterday, after he had opened fire on officers. One police officer was shot in the arm and taken to hospital for treatment.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says members of the Umzinyathi multidisciplinary team were on their way to make an arrest when they saw the man with a firearm at the local taxi rank.

“A shoot-out ensued during which the man was fatally wounded. He was found in possession of a .38 special revolver [of which the] serial number was erased,” Netshiunda adds.

Breakthrough in triple murder

Earlier, members of the same task team made a breakthrough with the arrest of a man wanted in connection with a triple murder in the Nquthu area in October last year. The suspect was traced and cornered at Msinga, where he was arrested and found in possession of a rifle believed to be the weapon used in the commission of the murders.

The arrested suspect will appear in the Msinga Magistrate’s Court soon.