Two police officers are recovering in hospital after being shot by a wanted man during a shoot-out in Okhalweni, Maphumulo, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The wounded officers were part of a team searching for a suspect wanted for several violent crimes, including murder and cash-in-transit robberies.

Acting on a tip-off about the suspect’s whereabouts, the police attempted to apprehend him at a residence in Okhalweni.

“When police arrived at the identified residence, the suspect refused to open the door. As officers gained entry using minimum force, the suspect opened fire, wounding the two police officers. Police returned fire and during the shoot-out the suspect was fatally wounded,” said police spokesperson, colonel Robert Netshiunda.

The injured officers, a captain and a warrant officer, were immediately taken to hospital, where they are currently recovering.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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