Four suspects wanted for a series of taxi-related murders in KwaZulu-Natal were shot dead on Monday afternoon following a dramatic high-speed shootout with police on the N3 Highway near Mooi River. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling violent crime linked to the taxi industry.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda detailed the events leading up to the shootout. He explained that an intelligence-led operation, based on information regarding the suspects' presence in the Mooi River area, led officers to intercept the suspects' vehicle on the N3 Highway.
“Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle on the N3 Highway and signalled for the driver to stop, however, the driver sped-off and took the Hidcote turn-off, joining the R103 road towards Estcourt,” he said.
The ensuing high-speed chase quickly escalated into a fierce gun battle.
“During the high-speed chase, suspects started firing shots towards the police, and to protect themselves and other road users, police returned fire and during the subsequent shootout, four suspects who were the occupants in the vehicle were shot and fatally wounded,” Colonel Netshiunda stated.
Despite the intense exchange of gunfire, which left the police vehicle riddled with bullet holes, no officers sustained injuries.
Following the shootout, police recovered two firearms – a rifle and a pistol – along with ammunition from the suspects' vehicle. These weapons will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they are linked to other violent crimes in the province or nationally. Colonel Netshiunda confirmed that one of the deceased suspects was a 40-year-old man, a high-profile individual wanted in connection with several serious offences.
“One of the suspects was a 40-year-old man who was most wanted in connection with the Bergville shootings of a taxi association chairperson and his deputy who were both shot in February and June 2024 respectively. He was also wanted for the Bergville taxi rank shooting in which a taxi owner was shot in an incident where a commuter was hit by a stray bullet, as well as the June 2024 attempted murder of a taxi owner in Winterton,” Netshiunda explained.
The successful operation represents a significant step forward in investigations into these violent crimes.
The incident underscores the dangerous nature of confronting armed suspects and the risks faced by law enforcement officers daily. The police department’s swift response and successful apprehension of these individuals, despite the intense gunfire, demonstrate their commitment to tackling violent crime and bringing those responsible to justice. The ballistic analysis of the recovered firearms will play a crucial role in further investigations.
Meanwhile, a separate incident involving a police officer accidentally shooting two colleagues is currently under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). This incident, which occurred on Sunday near Nobamba School in Boboyi, Port Shepstone, resulted in the death of one officer and injuries to another. The shooting took place during an operation to locate a person allegedly involved in a domestic dispute.
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping provided details of the incident, stating that six Public Order Police (POP) members and two K-9 unit members responded to the complaint.
“Shuping said the officer opened fire and ‘accidentally’ shot two of her colleagues,” according to a report in The Citizen.
The Ipid investigation will focus on determining the circumstances surrounding this accidental shooting and whether any disciplinary or criminal charges are warranted.
