Five murder suspects were fatally wounded in a shootout with police on the far North Coast, near Eshowe, on Saturday evening.
South African Police Services spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers from the Provincial Taxi Violence Task team were acting on intelligence during an operation when they spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a sedan which the suspects were travelling in.
“The officers approached the vehicle and introduced themselves.
“They ordered the suspects’ vehicle to stop but the suspects sped off and a high speed chase ensued. The driver of the suspects’ vehicle lost control of the vehicle and collided with a fence.
“Before the police knew it, they were under gunfire from the suspects. The Task Team officers returned fire and a shootout ensued. Five suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout and two firearms were found in their possession,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
He said the suspects had been sought in connection with the murder of a 31-year-old man who was shot and killed in the morning of July 1 at a taxi rank in Eshowe.
“In that case, the suspects reportedly went to the taxi rank and demanded money that had been collected earlier that day. Shots were fired and the victim was shot. He was declared dead at the scene and a firearm was found next to his body,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is now investigating this case.
Related Topics: