Picture: iStock
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police have shot and killed five suspected robbers in the province.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspected robbers were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with officers in Lindelani in Ntuzuma on Monday morning.
Netshiunda said officers were following up on intelligence about an unconfirmed number of suspects who were travelling in two vehicles and planning to commit a business robbery in KwaMashu.
“The suspects’ two vehicles were parked at the corner of Mdubu and Melusi streets, and it is suspected that the suspects had a disagreement, which led to shots being fired among themselves. Police stumbled upon that altercation, and the suspects then turned their guns to the police, and police retaliated.
“During the shootout, four suspects were shot and fatally wounded. A search in the vicinity of the crime scene led to the discovery of the body of the fifth suspect, who had attempted to flee and had sustained gunshot wounds. The suspects were found in possession of three firearms. No police officer was injured during the shootout,” Netshiunda said.
Netshiunda said two more suspects who were injured when the suspects shot each other were located at a hospital.
“A search is underway for the suspects who evaded arrest.”
This is the second shootout in KZN in less than a week as Saps crackdown on criminals in the province.
Last week, two suspects were killed in a shootout with police at Nhungwane Area 1 in Inanda, KZN, on Tuesday morning.
ALSO READ: Two dead, one arrested in shootout with police in KZN
One suspect was arrested.
Netshiunda said officers received information about suspects who were responsible for a spate of robberies in Inanda.
“A few days ago, police had received information from law-abiding residents of Inanda about the suspects who were believed to be responsible for house robberies and other crimes in the area, and police worked on the information until the suspected robbers were cornered at Nhlungwane.
“Police operationalised intelligence about the whereabouts of the suspects, and police cornered them inside a house. When police announced their presence by knocking on the door, the suspects responded by opening fire.”
Netshiunda said preliminary investigations established links between the suspects and the Inanda West Gang.
*This is a developing story
ALSO READ: Muhsin Hendricks, world’s ‘first openly gay imam’, shot dead [VIDEO]
Download our app
