The gun battle occurred in Chatsworth
Five suspects wanted for a spate of crimes have been killed in a dramatic shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
It is understood that the gun battle occurred in Chatsworth early on Monday morning. The suspects, aged between 17 and 20 years old, were reportedly hiding in a shack when police pounced.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers arrived on the scene following an intelligence-driven operation.
Shootout
Netshiunda said the suspects are allegedly linked to a series of murders and armed robberies in Mariannhill and KwaNdengezi.
“When we arrived in the early hours of this morning, the suspects opened fire at the police and a shootout [occurred]. Five suspects were shot and fatally wounded. No police officers were injured.”
Brothers
Police said three of the suspects were siblings, while the fourth was a foreign national.
“Two of the five have not been identified. But the other three, two of them are siblings, and one of them is a foreign national, and for now, we are not in a position to mention which country they are coming from,” said Brigadier Thembelihle Gcabashe.
Gcabashe said home-made guns were found and remain a concern.
“We have found three weapons which are still to be processed. So, home-made guns are also weapons of choice as the criminals conduct their operations.”
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Cop killers shot dead
Last month, two suspects wanted for the murder of a police officer, attempted murder, and a string of house and armed robberies in KZN were shot dead.
The duo were shot and fatally wounded when they started a gunfight with police in Inanda on Tuesday night, 12 August 2025.
Netshiunda said officers were following up on intelligence regarding the whereabouts of the wanted suspects when they located the suspects.
“The information led the police to a house in the Maplazini area in Inanda. When police arrived at the house, they introduced themselves as police officers and instructed the suspects to open the door.”
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