By Everson Luhanga
KwaZulu-Natal police shot and killed two cash-in-transit robbers on Tuesday morning.
KZN provincial police spokesperson Colonel Rober Netshiunda confirmed the shooting.
Colonel Netshiunda said two suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed by the police when they started a gunbattle with police in Phoenix in the early hours of Tuesday.
He said the police’s team involving officers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, Provincial Tracking and Tracing Team, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and K9 Unit searched for the suspects who had committed a cash-in-transit robbery in Kranskop on Monday afternoon.
“After an extensive search throughout the night, the suspects were spotted at Bhamshela in Tongaat early in the morning. They ignored the police’s instruction to stop and a high-speed chase ensued,” he said.
He said when the suspects’ vehicle crashed into a lamp post along the Phoenix Highway they got out of the car and started shooting at the police.
“A shootout ensued and two suspects were fatally shot. One suspect was shot next to the vehicle while the second was shot after he had run into a house while continuing to shoot at police.
“Three rifles and a pistol, several rounds of ammunition as well as an undisclosed amount of money were found in possession of the suspects,” said Netshiunda.
He said one suspect was later arrested after he was located at a block of flats with gunshot wounds.
“The search for the other suspects is underway with police following blood stains into the bushes.”
Netshiunda said although no police officer was injured, a police vehicle was sprayed with bullets from the suspects.
Nearby hospitals and medical centres have been informed about the shootout and told to report any patient with suspected gunshot wounds.
Police urged the public who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects who escaped to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number 08600 10111.
Pictured above: A crime scene where two suspects were shot and killed by the police in a shootout.
Source: SAPS
