Five suspects have been killed in a shoot-out at Tabankulu, Mount Frere.
Six firearms including two AK 47s, one R1 rifle and four pistols and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered by Eastern Cape police.
Police spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Mzukisi Fatyela, says the weapons and ammunition were seized late Wednesday afternoon, when Public Order Police members foiled an armed robbery.
Fatyela says police followed up on information that five heavily armed men intended to rob a local grocery store in Tabankulu.
Police spotted the vehicle with five occupants on the way to Tabankulu. When the suspects noticed that they were being followed, they started shooting at the police members, who returned the fire.
One Police member was shot in the chest but was saved by the bullet-proof vest he was wearing.
Fatyela says five suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were fatally wounded.
Two police vehicles and the suspect's vehicle were damaged during the shootout.
Fatyela says the possibility is being investigated that the deceased suspects could be linked with several other armed robbery cases in the Mthatha and Port St Johns areas.
