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By Faizel Patel

Senior Digital Journalist


Four suspected CIT robbers killed in shootout with police

Police recovered a large quantity of explosives, several vehicle number plates, some of them Limpopo registration plates and signal jammers


Four suspects believed to have been involved in a spate of cash in transit robberies in the eThekwini District have been killed in a shootout with police on Friday morning.

Police said a team comprising of various police disciplines and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) followed up information after the spate in cash in transit heists.

Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said intelligence led the law enforcement officers to a house at the corner of Queen Nandi Drive and Sikhindi Road in KwaMashu which was believed to be a safe haven for the suspects.

ALSO READ: CIT van bombed in attempted heist in Durban

Shootout

“When police announced their presence, the suspects started firing gunshots at the police, leaving the men of law with no other alternative but to return fire and a shootout ensued. Four suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the shootout.

“The suspects, two of whom are from Limpopo province, were found in possession four firearms, an AK47 assault rifle, an R5 rifle, and two pistols as well as numerous rounds of ammunition,” Netshiunda said.

Netshiunda said police also found “a large quantity of explosives, several vehicle number plates, as well as signal jammers” in the slain suspects’ possession.

“A manhunt continues for more suspects. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been summoned for further investigations,” Ntshiunda said.

Shooting

In a separate incident, two people were killed in a shooting on the Mangusuthu Highway near the Magistrates Court just after 7.30am on Friday morning.

ALS Paramedic spokesperspn Garrith Jamieson said police were already on the scene when they arrived.

“The area had been cornered off by members. Paramedics assessed the two men who were found seated in a car and found them to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Unfortunately both men had succumbed to their injuries and were declared deceased on the scene.”

Jamieson said police are investigating the shooting.

ALSO READ: One security guard killed, two others wounded in Durban CIT heist

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