SIX suspects were shot and fatally wounded and five firearms were recovered in two separate incidents where suspects opened fire at police in KwaZulu-Natal in the early hours of today (May 16).

One of the incidents took place in the Mariannhill area where police officers, who are members of the National Intervention Unit operationalised intelligence, cornered two suspects who were sought for intimidation, extortion and other violent crimes.

“When police pounced on the suspects at their hideout at the Klaarwater Hostel, the suspects opened fire at the police officers. Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded in the shoot-out. Two firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” said KZN police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker.

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In another incident, which happened in the early hours of the morning, Naicker reported that four men, who were suspected to be behind a string of cash-in-transit robberies in KwaZulu-Natal, were also killed during a shoot-out with police in Camperdown.

“A team comprised of police officers from various units, including the Hawks, gathered intelligence regarding the whereabouts of the suspects, and when police announced their arrival at the identified house, they were greeted with a hail of bullets from the suspects.

“The police officers returned fire, and during the shoot-out, four suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Three firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” said Naicker.

He added that police in KwaZulu-Natal remain committed to enforce and uphold the law by preventing, combatting and investigating crime.

“Suspects who challenge the authority of the state by shooting at police officers will be met with the force proportional to their actions,” he said.

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