Five gunmen killed in police shootout in KwaZulu-Natal

Zuko Komisa

Five criminal suspects were killed in a police shootout after opening fire on officers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, during a police raid.
Police were attempting to apprehend a gang suspected of a spate of violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery.
A pre-dawn raid on a shack in KwaZulu-Natal has left five suspected gangsters dead after a fierce shootout with police on Monday morning.

Five suspects were shot and killed during a shootout with police in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal, early this morning.

The confrontation took place when police, acting on a tip-off, attempted to apprehend a group believed to be responsible for a wave of violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, and extortion, across the region. The suspects had been terrorising communities in Mpumalanga township, Marrianhill, and the uMsunduzi area.

According to police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda, officers arrived at the hideout in the early hours of the morning, where they were immediately met with gunfire from the occupants. Police returned fire, resulting in a gun battle that left all five suspects fatally wounded. Remarkably, no police officers were injured in the exchange.

“This was an intelligence-driven operation,” Netshiunda stated.

“When our officers arrived, the suspects opened fire, and a shootout ensued. Five suspects were shot and fatally wounded, and we are pleased that no officer was injured.”

At the crime scene, authorities recovered three firearms, including a homemade gun. A more extensive search of the property is still underway, and police expect to find more weapons. “We believe that we will find more guns as we search the shack,” Netshiunda added.

The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by South African police to combat organised crime and restore safety to communities plagued by violence.