Richards Bay – A dramatic shootout between KwaZulu-Natal police and eight suspected robbers has left all eight suspects dead.
The incident, which unfolded just before midnight on Thursday, occurred on the John Ross Highway, according to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda. Police believe the suspects were en route to rob a foreign-owned shop in Esikhawini.
Colonel Netshiunda detailed the events leading to the fatal confrontation: “Police operationalised intelligence about the suspects, and their vehicle was spotted driving along the John Ross Highway towards Richards Bay. The police intercepted them and signalled for the driver to stop.”
However, the suspects ignored the police’s instructions.
“A high-speed vehicle chase ensued, and the suspects started firing shots towards the police. Police returned fire, and during the shootout, eight suspects were shot and fatally wounded,” Colonel Netshiunda explained. The suspects were found to be in possession of three firearms, two replica guns, and housebreaking implements.
“Investigations are under way to ascertain if the firearms are linked to other crime scenes,” he added.
#sapsKZN 8 Suspects, who were believed to be on their way to Esikhawini where they had planned rob a shop owned by a foreign national, were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Richards Bay just before midnight on Thursday, 05/12.
The suspects, who were also… pic.twitter.com/SwTzZjlISt
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 6, 2024
This incident brings the total number of suspects killed in shootouts with police this week to ten. On Wednesday, one suspect was killed in a separate shootout in Umlazi’s F Section.
Colonel Netshiunda described that incident: “Police were searching for suspects who were wanted for a string of murder and cash-in-transit robbery cases when they received information about the suspects' whereabouts. When police arrived at a residence at F Section, two suspects opened fire towards the police and during a resultant shootout, one suspect was shot and fatally wounded and the other one ran into the darkness and narrowly evaded arrest.”
Further adding to the week's incidents, Colonel Netshiunda reported another fatal shooting on Thursday.
“In another incident on Thursday, a person was killed during an ‘altercation with police’,” he stated.
Two other arrests were made in KwaMashu’s F Section following a separate incident involving a hijacked vehicle.
“Police had responded to reports of a vehicle which was hijacked in Phoenix. The hijacked vehicle was spotted at KwaMashu with three occupants. At the sight of police officers, one suspect got out of the vehicle and ran on foot while shooting at police officers. Police gave chase, and after the shootout, the suspect was found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds.”
The suspects involved in the Richards Bay shootout were also reportedly linked to a recent cash-in-transit robbery in Mzingazi.
Colonel Netshiunda provided further details: “The driver ignored police lawful instructions and sped off. A high-speed vehicle chase ensued and the suspects began firing shots towards the police. Police returned fire and during the shootout, eight suspects were shot and fatally wounded. The suspects were also linked with a recent cash-in-transit robbery in the Mzingazi area. They were found in possession of three firearms, two replica guns and a house breaking implements.”
