Two more suspects killed in KZN police shootout on Friday

At least two more suspects have been killed in another shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Friday morning.

The incident comes just hours after three suspects, wanted in connection with at least 10 cases of murder, were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Esikhaleni near Richards Bay.

Inanda shootout

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the second shootout.

“There is an active crime scene in Inanda where two suspects were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police.

“The two, who were members of the notorious West Gang, were cornered at a house in the Angola area of Amaoti in Inanda. They were wanted for at least four murder cases,” Netshiunda said.

This brings the number of suspects killed within a few hours in KZN on Friday to five.

ALSO READ: Three suspected murderers killed in shootout with police in KZN

Police mandate

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi said police have a mandate to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.

Mkhwanazi said if criminals cooperate with law enforcement, no shootouts will occur.

“In the past three months, we have arrested over 35,000 suspects who did not fight with the police. They will be taken through the justice system as our laws dictate.

“However those suspects who put the lives of police officers and residents in danger by resisting arrest through gunshots leave police with no option but to return fire in self-defence and neutralising the danger,” Mkhwanazi said.

ATM suspect

On Thursday, a suspected ATM bombing suspect was arrested and another was fatally wounded in a shootout with officers in the province.

Netshiunda said officers responded to reports of an ATM bombing when the shootout happened.

“Swift investigations led to the arrest of the driver of the suspect’s getaway vehicle. Another vehicle which the suspects were using was spotted at Madlankala area and with the suspects failing to obey lawful instructions from the police and shooting at the men of law, a shootout ensued which resulted in one suspect sustaining fatal gunshot wounds. A firearm was found in his possession.

“A search is currently underway at the nearby sugarcane farm where other suspects ran into as they escaped arrest,” Netshiunda said.