KZN shootout: Police ‘ambushed’ after knocking at wrong house

Police have shot and killed nine suspects during a shootout in KwaZulu-Natal.

The gun battle happened at Desai in Mariannhill in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It is understood the suspects were wanted for a string of crimes including rape and house robbery.

Shootout

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda officers acted on intelligence and cornered the suspects before the shootout happened.

“Although the police were ambushed when they erroneously knocked at the wrong house, the tactically astute officers managed to retaliate and neutralise the threat with none of them suffering any injuries.

“The suspects were also sought in connection with a case of rape where they allegedly gang-raped a girl and made her mother watch the ordeal during a house robbery. They were also on the police’s radar for serious and violent crimes in the area. When police caught up with them, intelligence had uncovered that the suspects were plotting to execute a hit on someone,” Netshiunda said.

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#BREAKING KwaZulu-Natal police have shot and killed 9 suspects during a shootout at Desai in Mariannhill in the early hours of this morning… More to follow @TheCitizen_News #KZNShooting

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) April 3, 2024

Other suspects

Netshiunda added that police have launched a manhunt for two more suspects who managed to escape.

“Three firearms have so far been found in possession of the suspects and a search is still ongoing. A manhunt for outstanding two suspects is underway,” Netshiunda said.

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