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Kwazulu Natal police said three suspects who were wanted for at least ten cases of murder were fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Kwa Dlangezwa area in Empangeni in the early hours of Friday morning.
Spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the KZN provincial stabilization team, which also forms part of Operation Vala uMgodi, acted on a tip-off about the whereabouts of the suspects.
“When the police announced their presence, the suspects opened fire, sparking a shootout which ended with the three suspects fatally wounded.
“The suspects, who were also alleged to have been involved in the ATM bombing incident in Esikhaleni which left one suspect fatally wounded on Thursday, were found in possession of at least two firearms,” he said.
KZN provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has reiterated that criminals who shoot at the police should expect the same kind of response.
"Police officers have a mandate to arrest and bring perpetrators to justice, however if police find themselves under gunfire, the only option they have in order to come out alive is through the return of fire," he said.
Two days ago, three criminal suspects were also killed in Inanda in KZN in a shootout with the SAPS while in May six suspects were also fatally wounded in a gunfight with police.
#sapsKZN 3 Suspects, who were #wanted for at least ten cases of murder, were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at KwaDlangezwa area in Empangeni in the early hours of today.
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2024
The suspects, who were also alleged to have been involved in the ATM bombing incident… pic.twitter.com/5prxRXSlz9
