A dramatic police pursuit from Hluhluwe to KwaMsane in northern KwaZulu-Natal ended in a deadly shootout shortly after midnight on Tuesday, leaving two suspected armed robbers dead, a third under police guard in hospital, and at least three more suspects on the run.
The suspects allegedly robbed a man in the Hluhluwe policing area before fleeing in a vehicle that was later spotted by police travelling southbound on the N2.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers responded immediately after receiving the robbery report and quickly tracked down the suspects' vehicle.
“Police responded swiftly, and the vehicle matching the description provided by the victim was spotted travelling southbound on the N2. Police gave chase, and officers from the uMkhanyakude District Task Team provided backup.”
Netshiunda added that the chase stretched across policing areas before coming to a violent end in KwaMsane, where a gun battle erupted between officers and the suspects.
He said police initially believed all three suspects had been killed during the exchange of gunfire. However, one of them later regained consciousness while the crime scene was being processed.
“Three suspects were believed to have been fatally wounded; however, the third suspect regained consciousness while forensic experts were taking photographs and was rushed to hospital under police guard,” he said.
Police recovered three firearms from the suspects and have launched a manhunt for at least three additional suspects who managed to evade arrest during the operation.
Despite the intensity of the shootout, no police officers were injured.
Investigations are continuing.
The Star
