By Everson Luhanga
Four suspected hitmen died in a shootout with police on the N3 highway near Mooi River on Monday afternoon.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the men were wanted for taxi industry killings.
“Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle on the N3 highway and signalled for the driver to stop. However, the driver sped off and took the Hidcote turn-off, joining the R103 road towards Estcourt,” said Netshiunda.
The suspects shot at police during the chase, and officers fired back, killing all four men.
Police found a rifle, a pistol and bullets in their car.
One dead suspect, aged 40, was wanted for several taxi shootings in Bergville. These included killing a taxi association chairman and his deputy in separate attacks in February and June 2024.
“The same suspect was also wanted for the Bergville taxi rank shooting, in which a taxi owner was shot, and a commuter was hit by a stray bullet, as well as another attempted murder of a taxi owner in Winterton in June 2024,” said Netshiunda.
Police will test the guns to see if they were used in other crimes.
Though the police car was hit many times, no officers were hurt.
Pictured above: Firearms recovered at a crime scene where four wanted suspects were shot and killed by KwaZulu-Natal police.
Source: Supplied
