Five armed gang members were shot and killed and three were injured, between the Tongaat Toll Plaza and King Shaka International off-ramp this morning.

The men had allegedly committed a business robbery in Empangeni and they were being chased by police, Z2, IPSS and Marshal Security.

Both vehicles overturned, about a kilometer apart, and stolen items from the business robbery, as well as multiple unlicensed firearms were found in the cars.

Phumlani Vezi, from IPSS Security, reported that when they tried to stop the alleged robbers, who were travelling in two getaway vehicles, the fleeing men started shooting at them.

“We returned fire and some of the gang members were fatally injured and the three were in a critical condition,” said Vezi.

It is believed that the men belonged to one of the most dangerous gangs in KZN and they were wanted for a string of armed robberies.

Police had not responded at the time of publication.