Eight suspects were killed in a shootout with the police in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, last night. It's believed that the suspects were on their way to rob a shop owned by a foreign national in Esikhawini.

STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS

According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the police operationalised intelligence about the suspects and their vehicle was spotted driving along the John Ross Highway towards Richards Bay and they intercepted them and signalled for the driver to stop, but the driver ignored the police instructions and sped off. Nesthiunda said a high-speed vehicle chase ensued and the suspects started firing shots towards the police. who returned fire. "Eight suspects were shot and fatally wounded. The suspects, who were also linked with a recent CIT robbery in Mzingazi area, were found in possession of three firearms, two replica guns, and housebreaking implements. Investigations are underway to ascertain if the firearms are linked to other crime scenes," he said.

TEN SUSPECTS SHOT DEAD IN KZN THIS WEEK

Last night's shootout brings the total number of suspects shot and killed during an exchange of fire with the police to ten this week. On Wednesday, one suspect was shot dead by the police in a shootout at F Section in Umlazi when the police were searching for suspects who were wanted for a string of murder and cash-in-transit robbery cases in the area. Netshiunda said when the police arrived where the suspects were hiding, two suspects opened fire towards the police and during a resultant shootout, one suspect was shot and fatally wounded, and the other one ran into the darkness and evaded arrest. Yesterday, another suspect was shot and fatally wounded during an altercation with police. It's alleged that the police had responded to reports of a vehicle that was hijacked in Phoenix." The hijacked vehicle was spotted at KwaMashu with three occupants, and at the sight of police officers, one suspect got out of the vehicle and ran on foot while shooting at police officers. Police gave chase and after the shootout, the suspect was found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds," Netshiunda added. The arrested suspects will appear in court soon.