File
Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has commended the police following a shootout on Thursday which left three criminal suspects dead.
In a statement, he said the gunbattle erupted on the R408 near Mbewuleni Village between Dutywa and Engcobo between suspects who hijacked a car in Mthatha and members of the National Intervention Unit.
MEC Nqata said the Unit had been tracking the hijacked vehicle and as they closed in on the car, the suspects opened fire.
He said three suspects were killed, and one critically injured.
No SAPS members were injured in the exchange and Nqata commended them for putting their lives on the line to combat crime.
The surviving suspect is under police guard in hospital and will help the police in their investigations.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will also investigate the incident.
