Two suspects killed in M7 shootout
One of the suspects managed to evade arrest and fled on foot.
TWO suspects have been killed and another injured following a high-speed chase which ended in a shootout on the M7 highway. On the morning of Wednesday, 23 January, working with Marshall Security, the South African Police’s Crime Intelligence unit, Provincial Task Team acted on a tip off and chased suspects who were travelling on the N2.
The suspects’ vehicle was spotted travelling southbound on the N2 highway and officers began following it onto the M7 towards Pinetown, where the vehicle turned off towards Queensburgh.
Upon noticing that they were being followed, the suspects jumped the traffic light, fleeing back onto the M7 towards Durban and a high speed chase ensued with the suspects opening fire on the pursuing officers.
“In the haste to evade arrest, the driver lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a member of the public and coming to a stop. Three suspects alighted from the vehicle firing shots at our officers who returned fire, fatally wounding two men and injuring a third who attempted to flee and was arrested by the SAPS. Their accomplice managed to evade arrest, fleeing on foot into a nearby area of dense bush,” said Marshall security’s Kyle van Reenen.
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The SAPS K9 unit was called in to assist with a search, however, the suspect remains at large.
“The injured suspect was treated and stabilised on scene by paramedics, before being taken under police guard to a nearby medical facility for further care. No member of the public was injured in the collision,” added van Reenen.
Further investigations revealed the suspects was in possession of two unlicensed firearms and live ammunition. The vehicle was confirmed to have been taken in a recent hijacking in Scottburgh, in the South Coast.
The suspects have been linked to several cases of serious and violent crimes including hijacking and house robbery across the greater Durban area of late.
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