Six suspects shot dead in separate gun battles with KZN police

Six suspects were shot and fatally wounded and five firearms were recovered in two separate incidents in a shoot-out with KwaZulu-Natal police officers.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said four men who were suspected to be behind a string of cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies in KZN were shot and fatally wounded by police in Camperdown early on Thursday morning.

CIT suspects

“A team comprising 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.

Shoot-out

In another incident, police officers who are members of the National Intervention Unit cornered two suspects who were sought for intimidation, extortion and other violent crimes.

Naicker said when police pounced on the suspects at their hideout at Klaarwater Hostel in Mariannhill, 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.

“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,” said Naicker.

ALSO READ: Gun battle after suspect tries to pull a fast one on police during ‘toilet break’

Drug dealer shot

Meanwhile, a suspect is under police guard at a KZN hospital after he sustained a gunshot wound in a shoot-out with the police in Isipingo on Tuesday morning.

It is understood the shooting happened in the Malukazi area.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the incident happened when members of the Provincial Drugs and Firearms Unit acted on intelligence and went to execute a search warrant at a house in Malukazi.

“The suspect, who is believed to be a drug dealer, fired shots at the police and one officer sustained a minor gunshot wound.

“The suspect was then arrested and was found in possession of two firearms and ammunition. He was also charged with the attempted murder of police officers. Further investigation led to the arrest of two other suspects who were found in possession of firearms and ammunition,” said Netshiunda.

Shooting

Earlier this week, a wanted murder suspect who had been on the run for years was shot and killed in a gun battle with KZN police.

It is understood the suspect was shot and fatally wounded when he wrestled with a police officer to gain control of a firearm on Monday night.

Netshiunda said the suspect was wanted for the 2022 murder of a 24-year-old man, who was shot and killed during a church service in Wyebank, north of Durban.

ALSO READ: Suspect nabbed after shootout with police in Isipingo