Police kill 31 dangerous criminals in KZN

By Zukile Majova
Political Editor

KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been on the offensive to fight crime in the province over the past three months.

Police killed at least 31 dangerous criminals who chose to exchange gunfire with the police, while over 35,000 suspects were arrested in the province.

Since April, the police not only ensured a safe environment for people to vote in the 29 May elections, but also recovered almost 1,000 illegal guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The province has become notorious as a breeding ground for izinkabi (contract killers), often associated with the running battles in the taxi industry. These gunmen have extended their tentacles as far as the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng. In the most infamous case, hired gunmen linked to half a dozen murders in the taxi industry are being prosecuted for the murder of rapper AKA.

During his media briefing on Friday, Mkhwanazi said police also foiled plans to export over two tons of drugs worth millions of rands. Police intelligence foiled at least five planned cash-in-transit heists, recovered 700 stolen cars, and dismissed 25 SAPS members implicated in crimes and misconduct.

This week in Durban, four suspects were shot and killed, and another one injured in a shootout with police in Sydenham on Wednesday. The suspects were wanted for various violent crimes, including cash-in-transit robberies and murders. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said, “The suspects were en route to execute a hit on a man and two of his bodyguards. The suspects were also wanted for murders of people mostly involved in the construction industry.”

Pictured Above: A police vehicle.

Source: X