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The suspects were wanted for the murder of a 66-year-old man.
The group were shot dead in a gunfight with police at the Mophela area in Mpumalanga township, Hammersdale on Sunday evening. Picture: Saps
Five suspects wanted for the murder of a man and his wife have been shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The group was shot dead in a gunfight with police in the Mophela area of Hammersdale township, Mpumalanga, on Sunday evening.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said intelligence led the Saps to the men when they were travelling along the Mophela main road.
“Police caught up with the suspects and signalled for them to stop. The suspects ignored police instructions and instead opened fire towards law enforcement officers. Police returned fire, and during the shootout, five suspects were shot and fatally wounded.
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“A thorough search was yet to be conducted inside the suspects’ vehicle, however, three firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” Netshiunda said.
Netshiunda said the suspects were wanted for the murder of a 66-year-old man who was shot and killed at his home in Ekwandeni last Saturday.
“The man had survived a hail of bullets in January, and his wife was shot and killed at their home in February this year. The suspects are also linked to the murder of two police officers.
“Investigations are continuing, and there are possibilities that the suspects could be linked to more violent crimes,” Netshiunda said.
Last month, four suspects wanted for cases of murder in Inanda were killed in a shootout with police on the M4 Highway in Umlazi.
Netshiunda said that officers had gathered intelligence about the whereabouts of suspects wanted for several cases of murder.
“When police pounced on them at a mall in Umlazi, the suspects sped off and with police catching up on them, the suspects fired shots towards the police and to protect themselves and other road users, police returned fire.
“During the shootout, four suspects were shot and fatally wounded. No police officer sustained any injuries during the shootout,” Netshiunda said.
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