Five murder suspects killed in shootout with KZN SAPS

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Five murder suspects were gunned down in a shootout with police at the Mophela area in Mpumalanga township, Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal.

The suspects were wanted for the murder of a man and his wife were gunned down on Sunday night, 11 May.

FIVE MURDER SUSPECTS KILLED IN POLICE SHOOTOUT

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police gathered intelligence about the suspects who were driving along the Mophela main road.

Netshiunda said police caught up with the suspects and signalled for them to stop. The suspects ignored police instructions and instead opened fire towards law enforcement officers.

“Police returned fire and during the shootout, five suspects were shot and fatally wounded. A thorough search was yet to be conducted inside the suspects’ vehicle, however three firearms were found in the possession of the suspects.

“The suspects were wanted for the murder of a 66-year-old man who was shot and killed at his home at Ekwandeni area on Saturday last week. The man had survived a hail of bullets in January and his wife was shot and killed at their home in February this year. The suspects are also linked to the murder of two police officers.

“Investigations are continuing and there are possibilities that the suspects could be linked to more violent crimes,” Netshiunda explained.

KZN TOP COP SAYS POLICE SHOULD FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

The murder of suspects by KZN police has landed the province’s top cop, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in hot water in recent months. Many criminal analysts have criticised and questioned the crime-fighting approach.

In response, Mkhwanazi said analysts should accompany police officers to the dangerous crime scenes they are called into and see if they would still criticise the approach.

In November 2024, Mkhwanazi reminded police officers not to miss when crime suspects are shooting at them.