Eight alleged criminals have been shot dead in a shootout with KZN police in Richards Bay.
The men who were allegedly on their way to commit a business robbery were intercepted by police on John Ross Highway on Thursday night, 5 December.
KZN POLICE SHOOT DEAD EIGHT CRIMINALS
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said police operationalised intelligence about the alleged criminals and their vehicle was spotted driving along the John Ross Highway towards Richards Bay. Police intercepted them and signaled for the driver to stop.
Netshiunda said the driver ignored the police’s lawful instructions and sped off. A high-speed vehicle chase ensued, and the suspects started firing shots toward the police.
“Police returned fire, and during the shootout, eight suspects were shot and fatally wounded. The suspects, who were also linked with a recent cash-in-transit robbery that happened in the Mzingazi area, were found in possession of three firearms, two replica guns, and house-breaking implements. Investigations are underway to ascertain if the firearms are linked to other crime scenes.
“The shootout brings the total number of suspects shot and fatally wounded during shootouts this week to 10. On Wednesday, one suspect was shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at F Section in Umlazi.
“Police were searching for suspects who were wanted for a string of murder and cash-in-transit robbery cases when they received information about the suspects’ whereabouts. When police arrived at a residence in F Section, two suspects opened fire toward the police, and during a resultant shootout, one suspect was shot and fatally wounded. The other one ran into the darkness and narrowly evaded arrest,” Netshiunda explained.
DO YOU SUPPORT KZN SAPS’ SHOOT TO KILL APPROACH WHEN IT COMES TO CRIMINALS?
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