KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has commended the multi-disciplinary team that tracked down a police killer to Clermont, KZN, yesterday afternoon.

According to KZN police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker, the suspect, who was wanted for the killing of an off-duty police officer this weekend, died in a gun battle with police officers.

The police officer was killed in the early hours on Sunday.

Naicker reports the police officer, who was stationed at Durban Central SAPS, and his colleague, from KwaDabeka SAPS, who were off duty, were visiting a private residence in Clermont when they were attacked in their vehicle.

“The deceased constable (34), who was the driver, was killed before he was robbed of his firearm while his colleague (35), who was also robbed of his firearm, was left unharmed. The two suspects fled the scene with both policemen’s firearms as well as a wallet and cellphone,” he says.

Naicker adds that an around-the-clock investigation that began after the shooting resulted in police receiving information that one of the killers was at an informal settlement in Clermont.

“As police officers approached the suspect’s residence, they were met with gunfire. The suspect, who is in his 30s, sustained fatal injuries following the shoot-out. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect’s possession. Investigations are ongoing to trace his accomplice. Detectives are also working on information that the deceased suspect is linked to a string of murders, robberies and carjackings,” reports Naicker.

The provincial commissioner thanked the team ‘who did not sleep after they heard that their colleague was killed’ and commended them for their bravery when they came under fire from the same person who had killed him.