During a crime stabilisation operation in the Ngonyameni area of Loskop last night (October 8), three suspects were shot dead by police and one police officer was shot and wounded by the suspects.

Officers from the National Intervention Unit and Tactical Response Team were following up on information and swooped on a home in Ngonyameni. Once inside the house, police were allegedly attacked by a group of armed suspects who opened fire on them.

“Police retaliated and three suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout whilst another three were arrested at the scene. A police officer was also shot on both legs by the armed suspects and was taken to hospital,” commented police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala.

Police recovered four unlicensed firearms, ammunition and bullet proof vests were recovered from the suspects.

“One of the deceased suspects was wanted for an attempted murder case committed in Loskop this month,” added Captain Gwala.

Last Tuesday police arrested four suspects in possession of four unlicensed firearms, which included rifles, pistols and ammunition, at the same house.

The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to ascertain if they were used in the commission of any other crime in the country.

ALSO READ: Police raid Loskop homestead

Charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were opened for investigation. The arrested suspects will appear in the Estcourt Magistrates Court soon.

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter