PIETERMARITZBURG, May 1 (ANA) – Two men have been shot dead and another two were wounded in a shoot-out with police in Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, the Hawks said on Sunday.
Members of the directorate for priority crime investigation (Hawks) followed up on information about suspects involved in housebreakings and theft of motor vehicles in the area, spokesman Lieutenant Simphiwe Mhlongo said.
During the operation, the officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in the area. They followed it and found one man inside the vehicle.
“The other suspects who were waiting in the getaway vehicle fired shots at the police who returned fire in self-defence. Two suspects were fatally wounded and two were [wounded] and taken to hospital under police guard,” he said.
Twelve computer boxes for various cars, one jammer device, one police radio, a crowbar, and three 9mm pistols with live rounds of ammunition were recovered.
“Independent Police Investigative Directorate [members] attended the scene and an inquest docket was opened. The arrested suspects will appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court once they are charged,” Mlongo said.
The two would face charges relating to attempted murder, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, and possession of unlicensed firearms and car theft implements.
– African News Agency (ANA)
