By Everson Luhanga
- Police kill five suspects during shootout in Inanda after following information about their hiding place early Thursday morning.
- Suspects were linked to murder, attempted murder, robberies and for attacks on police officers.
Five suspects wanted for serious violent crimes were killed during a shootout with police in Inanda early on Thursday morning.
The incident happened at Bester Area 10 after police followed up information about where the group was hiding.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspects were linked to several cases. These included murder, attempted murder and house robberies.
He said some of the attempted murder cases involved attacks on police officers.
According to police, the group had been causing fear in Inanda and nearby areas for months. Netshiunda said that in late November 2025, the suspects allegedly shot at police officers and then went into hiding.
In the early hours of Thursday, police received new information about the suspects’ location. Officers moved in to arrest them.
Netshiunda said when police arrived at the house, the suspects did not surrender.
“They fired shots at police through the door,” he said. Police returned fire to protect themselves and nearby residents.
During the shootout, all five suspects were shot. Emergency services were called but the suspects were declared dead at the scene.
Police then searched the area and recovered four firearms. The guns are believed to have been used by the suspects.
No police officers were injured during the operation.
Netshiunda said investigations into the suspects’ criminal activities are continuing. The recovered firearms will be tested to see if they were used in other crimes in Inanda and surrounding areas.
Police say the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to deal with violent crime and protect communities that have been living in fear.
Pictured above: Police officers at the scene of a crime scene operation in KwaZulu Natal.
Image source: SAPS
