A SHOOTOUT ensued when suspects were cornered by members of the Pinetown Crime Prevention Unit on Sunday afternoon at the intersection of M1 and N3 on-ramp.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Jennifer Naidu, said it is alleged that the victim was at the intersection when he saw two men getting off from a white Polo which stopped ahead of him.

“The victim said both suspects were armed. They demanded cash and cellphones from the complainant and his passengers. Cash of R6000 was taken.”

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Naidu reported that the victim was pulled out of the vehicle and assaulted on the head with the firearm butt.

“As the suspects were trying to start the complainant’s vehicle, members from Pinetown crime prevention who noticed what was happening approached from the opposite direction with an unmarked State vehicle.

“When the suspects realised that it was policemen, they started shooting towards them. The members then returned fire. The suspects then fled on foot through some bushes and into a mechanic’s scrap yard.”

It is alleged that they robbed the mechanic of a vehicle and drove off.

During the shootout between the suspects and the police, Naidu said a private motor vehicle was also shot at.

“Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by the driver or his passenger.”

A case of attempted carjacking, armed robbery and attempted murder has been reported at Pinetown SAPS.

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