In the latest incident of violence in Inanda, two individuals have tragically lost their lives in a shoot-out with the police.
This marks the second shooting in the Durban township since the beginning of the year. According to reports, the police were acting on intelligence which led them to a property in Inanda.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, stated that the police had to take cover from the suspects’ gunfire during a simultaneous operation at Eskebheni and Emaplazini in Inanda.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, two suspects, aged 34 and 39, were fatally wounded. The police also seized two pistols, a shotgun, and 94 rounds of ammunition.
These suspects are believed to be connected to a shooting incident in Newlands last week, where three individuals were killed and seven others were injured.
The victims were sitting near a shopping mall when a silver VW Polo approached them, and its occupants opened fire. The deceased were identified as two men who died at the scene, while the third victim succumbed to his injuries at a local clinic.
The search for additional suspects involved in these crimes is ongoing. Less than 24 hours before this incident, six suspects were killed, and two men and a woman were arrested. These individuals have been linked to various offenses, including house and business robberies, murders, and hijackings.
Inanda has increasingly become a hotbed for criminal activities, prompting Police Minister Bheki Cele to express concern. He highlighted the recovery of firearms, including an AK47, during recent operations. Last year alone, 19 suspects were killed in shoot-outs with the police in Inanda.
Efforts to combat crime and ensure the safety of residents in Inanda remain a top priority for law enforcement agencies.