Wanted man killed in police shoot-out
A man wanted for a number of crimes was killed in a shoot-out with police last week.
A MAN considered by SAPS as one of the most dangerous criminals in KwaZulu-Natal, was killed in a shoot-out with police in Cato Manor last week.
The Durban K9 Unit and Hawks conducted a special operation in search of the criminal at informal dwellings in Cato Manor, and were armed with a warrant for his arrest.
“After identifying the dwelling in which the suspect was living, police stormed into it. The man, who was armed with a 9mm pistol, shot at the police as they entered. Police returned fire resulting in the suspect being fatally wounded.
“SAPS officers as well as their canine partners were fortunate to come out unscathed,” said Colonel Jay Naicker. A 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off was seized.
The suspect was wanted for a string of cash-in-transit heists, murders, business robberies and attempted murder cases.
A few weeks ago, service station employees in Mayville and security guards suffered at the hands of this criminal and his accomplices when cash boxes were taken after there was an exchange of gunfire. Security guards were shot at the scene.
In another cash heist, a security guard was fatally wounded when cash boxes were taken at a butchery in Mandeni shopping centre. The suspect was also part of a criminal gang who had made life very difficult for residents at the KwaMashu hostel.
The warrant of arrest granted to police was also as a result of three cases of murder and an attempted murder that the man allegedly committed in 2013 at the hostel.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni expressed her relief when she heard that police were not injured when the criminal opened fire on them .
“I am disappointed that this thug took the easy way out and will not be thrown behind bars where he should have spent his life, in prison where people like him belong.
“We will send the recovered firearm for ballistic testing as it will assist us in other cases that we are investigating. We will also do everything we can to nab his accomplices and put them behind bars,” she said.
