Hitmen arrested near Richards Bay

Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula has lauded the Provincial Task Team, who last week made a breakthrough in arresting six alleged hitmen outside Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, after a tip-off from members of the community, Zululand Observer reports.

“We have always said the community is at the centre of fighting crime, and I must thank the community members in the area for working with the police and providing them with valuable information that led to the arrest of these dangerous criminals,” Mbalula said.

READ MORE: Six alleged hitmen arrested outside Richards Bay in KZN

According to police reports, the team was assembled and dispatched to the area following a business robbery at Vulindlela Shopping Centre two weeks ago in which six people were killed.

The operation consisted of members of the Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Police and the Air Wing.

On Wednesday the suspects, aged between 34 and 52, were arrested just outside Richards Bay and found in possession of seven unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Police will interview the suspects, and their firearms will be sent for ballistic testing.

It is believed they have been operating between Gauteng and KZN, and are involved in taxi-related incidents, police killings, ATM bombings, cash-in-transit heists, political killings, armed robbery and hijackings.

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/six-alleged-hitmen-arrested-outside-richards-bay-in-kzn/