Nine suspected robbers were shot and killed in a shootout with the police in Isipingo, south of Durban, on Saturday.
Police say they received information about a planned business robbery in the area.
Captain Nqobile Gwala says when the suspects saw the police officers they fired shots, and there was an exchange of gunfire in which seven suspects were killed and a 29-year-old suspect arrested.
Police confiscated 11 illegal firearms, explosives, and other items.
Gwala says while police officers were still busy at the scene, more gunshots were heard nearby.
Two men opened fire at the police, followed by another shootout in which the two suspects were killed.
Two unlicensed firearms were found in their possession.
Cases of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and explosives, as well as attempted robbery had been opened.
- African News Agency
