Three people tied to last week’s tavern shoot-out in Mandeni were killed by police this afternoon.

Two others believed to have been part of the shooting managed to escape and a manhunt is ongoing.

The five men were allegedly behind the killing of two off-duty constables and two others in an illegal tavern in Sundimbili, Mandeni on Monday night, which left four more injured.

Police tracked the men to Bhambayi in Inanda this afternoon (Saturday, February 8), acting on tipoff information gathered in the investigation.

According to provincial police spokesperson, colonel Robert Netshiunda, the men were also wanted for multiple murder cases in Inanda and Umlazi.

“Five suspects were cornered inside a house. Upon realising the presence of the police, they opened fire,” said Netshiunda.

“Officers returned fire, leading to a shootout. Three suspects were fatally wounded and three firearms were recovered.”

Police at the crime scene at the Ntshalanang Tavern on Monday night.

The original Mandeni shoot-out on Monday night is understood to be because of a bar fight that escalated.

As previously reported by the Courier, the Ntshalanang Tavern in which the shooting happened had previously been shut-down by cops and its owner charged.

The two police constables who lost their lives were Phakamani Khuzwayo from Sundumbili Police Station and Lethukuthula Madlala from Nyoni Police Station.

Another murder took place in Mandeni just a few days later, when ward councillor Senzakwenzeke Mabhida was attacked and killed in his home.

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