After allegedly killing two men just for their shoes in KwaPata, Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, seven men were arrested later that evening after a suburban shoot-out with police. Two of them were allegedly found wearing their victims’ shoes at the time of the arrest.

The men, aged between 18 and 29, were arrested in a dramatic operation in Cinderella Park, Pietermaritzburg by members of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the Umgungundlovu Trio Task Team, the National Stabilisation Team, the Flying Squad and Magma Security.

The men were found in a house that they had allegedly been renting for a long time.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the men were wanted for allegedly shooting and killing two men aged 18 years and 26 years in KwaPata on Tuesday afternoon.

She said the victims, who were robbed of their shoes, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene.

Gwala said the police were tipped off on the whereabouts of the wanted men and went to Stallion Road in Cinderella Park where they surrounded the house and identified themselves.

“Three suspects attempted to flee the scene and two of them pointed firearms at the police officers. Two suspects sustained injuries in the hip and all three were successfully arrested and were found in possession of three firearms.”

Gwala said the other four suspects were found inside the house where police recovered two pistols and an electronic signal jamming device. They also recovered five 9mm pistols, one electronic signal jamming device and fourteen 9mm rounds.

Two suspects were also found wearing the shoes that were allegedly robbed from the men who were killed in KwaPata.

“The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing. The suspects will also be profiled to check if they are linked to serious and violent cases reported in Umgungundlovu and surrounding areas.”

The suspects are expected to appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as the double murder.

Shaheen Suleiman from Magma Security said the men were also wanted for another murder and attempted murder which took place in the Mountain Rise policing area. A VW Polo vehicle was also recovered.

Shootout leaves residents shocked

Residents have since expressed their shock about the incidents, saying that they had no idea there were wanted criminals ‘hiding’ in their area.

“We are just glad that they were caught before they started terrorising our own community. I still cannot believe that I lived right next to them and I did not even notice anything. It is scary,” said a resident, who did not want to be named.