Cape Town — Police in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) shot and killed four suspects who were wanted for several taxi industry-related murders following a high-speed shootout.
In a statement, police said the incident happened on Monday afternoon when officers conducted an intelligence-led operation after information was received about the suspects who were found in the Mooi River area.
“Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle on the N3 Highway and signalled for the driver to stop, however the driver sped-off and took the Hidcote turn-off, joining the R103 road towards Estcourt,” Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said.
Police and the suspects were involved in a high-speed chase when the suspects started firing shots at the police. In defence,, police fired back and during the shootout, four suspects who were occupants in the vehicle, were fatally shot. Police intercepted two firearms, a rifle and a pistol, as well as ammunition that were found in possession of the suspects.
BREAKING: Four wanted men believed to be taxi industry hitmen were killed during a shootout with KZN police in Mooi River. The men who were wanted for taxi industry related murders were shot and killed in a high speed vehicle shootout with police on Monday afternoon @News24 pic.twitter.com/U8sA9U8wfp
— Sakhiseni Nxumalo (@SakhiNxumalo) November 5, 2024
Netshiunda confirmed that one of the suspects was a 40-year-old man who was wanted in connection to the Bergville shootings of a taxi association chairperson and his deputy, who were killed in February and June 2024 respectively.
“He was also wanted for the Bergville taxi rank shooting in which a taxi owner was shot in an incident where a commuter was hit by a stray bullet, as well as June 2024 attempted murder of a taxi owner in Winterton,” Netshiunda said.
He added that the firearms that were recovered were subjected to ballistic testing to determine if it was linked to any other violent crimes in the province or throughout the country. He also confirmed that no police officers sustained any injuries in the shootout.
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Picture: X/@SakhiNxumalo
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
