Durban — A police officer from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was among three suspects who were shot and killed following a shootout with police in Ntuzuma this past weekend.
In a statement, police said six suspected suspects, paraded around as uniformed police officers, entered a store in Richmond on Sunday and held the owner and staff at gunpoint, while the victims were robbed of their firearms, money and other items. Police traced the two vehicles that were spotted fleeing from the crime scene to a house in Lindelani.
“When the suspects realised the presence of the police, they opened fire as they ran out of the house. Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded at the scene. They were both found wearing police headdresses. One of them was also in possession of a police firearm and a police bulletproof vest,” police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said.
He added that another bulletproof police vest and raincoat were found inside the residence. The vehicle belonged to a police officer who had reported off duty earlier in the morning and was also found at the scene.
#sapsKZN A police Sergeant is among three suspected armed robbers who were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with #SAPS in two separate shooting incidents in Ntuzuma on Sunday afternoon.
A manhunt is still underway for the remaining three suspects who are still at large.… pic.twitter.com/1uY08CXN6p
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 18, 2024
Netshiunda said police received intel that another police officer was injured while hiding inside a shack in the Phindangene informal settlement in Ntuzuma B.
“When the police arrived at the scene, the police Sergeant fired shots at the police officers and in a resultant shootout, he was shot and fatally wounded. He was found to be the owner of a police firearm which was found in possession of the slain suspect at the first crime scene, as well as the owner of the vehicle,” Netyshiunda said,
Police said a manhunt is underway to fund the remaining three suspects and found that the house the suspects were traced to, belonged to another known CIT robbery suspect who is currently out on bail. Investigations are underway to determine if the police officer was involved in any other robberies.
KZN Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said the police fight crime from within and that police officers who involve themselves in criminal activities will be met with the harsh wrath of the law.
Police reported another incident in the province within the past 48 hours as police are currently searching for suspects who killed six men in an informal settlement in Umlazi on Saturday evening.
The suspects opened fire on three men who were seated outside the rented accommodation. The suspects proceeded to the landlord’s house and shot and killed him, and another man inside the house, before killing the final victim on the pathway outside. All six victims were dead on the scene.
TUT’s Crime and Violence Expert Prof Jacob Mofokeng says the proliferation of illegal firearms is fuelling mass shootings. It follows the fatal shooting of six people in Umlazi, KZN over the weekend. Meanwhile in Cape Town police are investigating a shooting that left seven… pic.twitter.com/8BGgoXgrSb
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 19, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
