Five suspected robbers were shot dead by police after a shoot-out in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said on Monday.
The five had allegedly robbed a supermarket in Estcourt on Sunday afternoon when members of the country’s specialised crime fighting unit, the Hawks, police crime intelligence, the police’s special task force and the Durban K9 unit gave chase, eventually cornering the getaway vehicle along the R103 main road, said Hawks spokesman Robert Netshiunda.
“The officers signaled for the Toyota Quantum which the suspects were travelling in to stop. Instead of obeying the order from police, the suspects started shooting at the men of law, before abandoning their vehicle and trying to flee on foot, still shooting at the police,” said Netshiunda.
“When the police retaliated they shot and fatally wounded five suspects, aged between 28 and 55 years. One policeman was injured and was rushed to hospital.”
Police recovered several firearms, including an AK47, an R5 rifle and three 9mm pistols, as well as boxes of cigarettes and airtime allegedly stolen during the earlier robbery.
“Another vehicle which was allegedly used by another two men during the robbery was found abandoned just outside Estcourt,” said Netshiunda.
“The search is on for the two suspects who are believed to have made way with an undisclosed amount of money.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
