No police officer was injured during the shoot-out. Picture: iStock
A foreign national who was for murder has been injured in a shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday.
It is believed the 52-year-old suspect was wanted for the murder which he allegedly committed at Esikhaleni in August last year.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect has been hospitalized and is under police guard.
“Police gathered intelligence that the suspect was hiding at a residence in Esikhaleni and when police entered his residence, the 52-year-old suspect fired several shots at the police. Police retaliated in attempts to neutralize the danger and during the shootout, the suspect was shot and wounded.
“No police officer was injured during the shootout. The suspect was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition. When physically fit, the suspect will be presented before court to face charges of murder, attempted murder of police officers and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition,” Netshiunda said.
ALSO READ: Two men killed in shootout with KwaZulu-Natal police
Last week, two men wanted for murder and robbery were killed in a shootout with police in KZN.
It is understood the gun battle took place at Thembeni, KwaDukuza, on Monday.
Netshiunda said law enforcement officials had been hunting down the suspects for a while having narrowly missed them before.
“When their vehicle stopped, two suspects got out of the vehicle and started shooting at the police and a shootout ensued. Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded in the shootout. A 41-year-old female driver was unharmed and duly arrested,” Netshiunda said.
Netshiunda said one firearm was found in the possession of the suspects.
“A police officer was saved by a bullet-resistant vest after he was shot three times in the chest. He will be taken through the Employee Health and Wellness programmes for counselling.”
According to Netshiunda, preliminary investigations have revealed that the vehicle the suspects were travelling in belonged to a police officer.
ALSO READ: ‘We will find them anyway’: Police call for KZN shooting suspects to turn themselves in
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