Three suspected criminals allegedly linked to murder, hijacking, and cash-in-transit heists have been in a gun battle with police.
The shooting incidents occurred on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday morning, across three separate incidents.
It left three police officers injured, two of whom are in hospital receiving medical care.
Speaking about the latest incident KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police were searching for a suspect who was wanted in connection with murder and cash-in-transit robberies.
“Their intelligence led them to Okhalweni area in KwaMaphumulo in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“When police pounced on him at the identified residence, the suspect refused to open and as soon police used minimum force to gain entry into the house, the suspect opened fire at the police, injuring police two police officers.
“The other police officers returned fire and during the shootout, the suspect was fatally wounded.”
Netshiunda said a firearm was found in the suspect’s possession.
He said the two injured police officers, holding the rank of Captain and Warrant Officer, were taken to hospital where they are recovering.
In the second incident, which also occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, police pounced on a suspect in Cato Crest who was wanted in connection with a murder.
Police said it is alleged that on September 3, 2024, the suspect allegedly went to a block of flats on Mansel Road in Durban and opened fire on a couple and their three-year-old child.
Netshiunda said the man died on scene, while his wife was rushed to hospital.
“The couple’s three-year-old child survived the shooting unharmed.”
Netshiunda said as police approached the shack in Cato Crest the suspect opened fire and police retaliated and he was killed.
“A police officer was treated at the scene after he sustained minor injury resulting from a bullet which went through his bullet resistant vest.”
In the third incident, that occurred on Tuesday evening, police responded to reports of a minibus taxi that was hijacked in the Mariannhill area.
“The driver was dumped on Edwin Swales Drive and police caught up with the hijacked minibus taxi on Cato Manor Road.
“Upon realizing the presence of police officers, the passenger in the hijacked minibus taxi started shooting at the police and the police retaliated. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled whilst the passenger continued shooting at the police. He was shot and fatally wounded during the shootout.”
Netshiunda said police have launched a manhunt for the taxi driver.
-IOL
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