THE men who had allegedly conducted a criminal reign of terror in Umbumbulu, KwaMakhutha, and Folweni for months were shot dead after a gunfire exchange with the police in Bellair on March 23.

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Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the men were wanted for a string of serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder on police officers, car and truck hijacking, business and house robberies, among other crimes. He said crime intelligence officers spotted the suspects in the vicinity of Bellair, south-west of Durban and an operation to apprehend them was put into action.

“The suspects defied police’s orders to stop, and a high-speed vehicle chase ensued, which ended at a house which the suspects were using as a hideout spot. At the house, a shoot-out ensued between the police and the suspects. Four suspects were shot and fatally wounded in the shoot-out,” said Netshiunda.

One man managed to flee, and it is not known whether he was injured or not.

Following the shoot-out, four guns were found at the scene. Netshiunda confirmed that no police officer was injured during the operation.

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