By Everson Luhanga
Nine suspects were shot and killed during a shootout with police at Desai in Mariannhill in the early hours of Wednesday.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police received a tip-off about a group of 11 suspects who have been terrorising the residents of Mariannhill and surrounding areas.
The suspects were also linked with a case of rape where they allegedly gang-raped a girl and made her mother watch the ordeal during a house robbery.
Colonel Netshiunda said members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Stabilisation Team worked on information to find the suspects.
“They were also on police’s radar for serious and violent crimes in the area,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
“Intelligence had uncovered that the suspects were plotting to execute a hit.”
He said three firearms have so far been found in the possession of the suspects and a search is still ongoing. A manhunt for two outstanding suspects is underway.
The police were ambushed when they knocked on the door of the wrong house when searching for the suspects but still, the officers managed to respond.
None of them sustained any injuries.
Pictured above: The crime scene.
Image source: Supplied
