Four men who were wanted for murder were fatally wounded in an exchange of gunfire with the police on Thursday afternoon.

According to the police, the suspects were spotted travelling in a white vehicle along Higginson Highway in St Wendolins, Pinetown, and police instructed them to stop.

“Instead of heeding the police’s instructions, the suspects opened fire at the police officers. During the exchange of gunfire, the four suspects were fatally wounded,” stated the police.

A chase ensued after members of the Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) and Provincial Investigations and Tracking Task Team, under the banner of ‘Operation Qondisa’, were following up intelligence about a gang which was allegedly responsible for a spate of murders in the province.

“Preliminary police investigations have confirmed that the suspects were on the list of the most wanted for cases such as murder, attempted murder, hijackings, armed robberies and extortion, among an avalanche of other serious and violent crimes.”

The police further reported that they recovered an AK47 assault rifle with one magazine and 19 rounds of ammunition, as well as a vehicle which was suspected to have been stolen. Ink-stained bank notes were also found inside the suspects’ vehicle.

No police officers were injured during the gun battle, and all role-players, including the Independent Police Investigative Directorate were summoned to the scene for further investigations.