The R103 near Mooi River was the scene of a fatal shootout between armed suspects and police on Sunday afternoon.

Five suspects who had robbed a business in Estcourt were making an escape on the R103 when they were confronted by police.

“Members of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Task Force and the Durban K9 Unit officers were rushing to the scene of a business robbery when they met the suspects along the R103 Main Road,” commented Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Major Robert Netshiunda.

The suspects were travelling in a Toyota Quantum and police signalled for them to stop.

“Instead of obeying the order from police the suspects started shooting at the men of law, before abandoning their vehicle and trying to flee on foot, still shooting at the police,” explained Major Netshiunda.

Police then retaliated and the five suspects, aged between 28 and 55-years, were killed on scene. One policeman was injured in the crossfire and rushed to hospital in a stable condition.

At the scene police recovered five firearms; including one AK47, one R5 rifle and three 9mm pistols, 60 live ammunition for various firearms. Inside the vehicle boxes of cigarettes and airtime, believed to have been stolen during the robbery were recovered.

A second vehicle was found abandoned outside Estcourt. Police believe that two more suspects escaped from this vehicle.

“The search is on for the two suspects who are believed to have made way with an undisclosed amount of money,” said Major Netshiunda.