Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
04 September 2024 | 16:12 CAT

South Beach shootout scene. Image/ Protection Web

KwaZulu-Natal police have swooped down on criminals, with six extortion and murder suspects dying in a shootout with police in South Beach in Durban. Police have shot several suspected criminals over the past couple of months as police intensify anti-crime operations.

KwaZulu-Natal police said they were tracing suspects who shot five people, killing four of the victims execution-style on Siyaphambili Road in Tshelimnyama, Mariannhill, on Sunday night.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said it was alleged that five men were seated on the side of the road drinking alcohol when the suspects, armed with pistols and a rifle, arrived in a vehicle and ordered them to lie down before shooting them in the back of their heads.

Police tracked the suspects to a hiding place in Newlands East and a rented holiday apartment on South Beach Avenue.

“When police announced their presence at the apartment, the suspects opened fire and a shootout ensued. All six suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout. No police officer sustained injuries,” Netshiunda said.

Netshiunda said the suspects were linked to another incident where three men were shot and killed near a tuck shop on the Minitown main road in Mpumalanga township on Friday afternoon, as well as the robbery of a shop on the ground floor of the flat they were found in on Friday evening.

“It is also suspected that the suspects were involved in the illicit drug trade,” Netshiunda said.

Police recovered three firearms, which Netshiunda said would be sent for ballistic testing to ascertain if they could be linked to other crimes. He added that the police were also hot on the heels of the person who booked the room for the suspects.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Colonel Robert Netshiunda here.