The clampdown on criminals that have been terrorising the community in Inanda continued on Monday night as five criminals were shot and killed in Dube Village in Inanda in the north of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. This takes the number of people who have been gunned down by police and other law enforcement agencies in Inanda and KwaMashu, Durban, to 19.
Last week alone, 14 suspected criminals were shot dead in separate incidents in the same townships on different days. All the men were found with gunshot wounds on their heads and body. Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed the incident. "Police officers are applauded for their determination and bravery after five suspects who were believed to have been terrorising the community at Inanda were fatally wounded in a shootout on Monday evening. A team comprised of various police disciplines, private security, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and the the Hawks conducted an operation at 11 pm after intelligence led them to a house near the Dube Village Mall in Inanda," Naicker said. He added that as the police officers approached the house, they were met with gunfire and a member of the NIU was shot in the leg and was transported to hospital where he remains in stable condition. Following the gun battle with the criminals, four suspects were fatally wounded.Police found four pistols in their possession. A manhunt continues for more suspects. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been summoned for further investigations," he said.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the police officers for remaining composed during the gun battle which lasted for about half an hour. "We will continue to hunt down these ruthless criminals who are terrorising innocent civilians in Inanda. It is quite obvious that they are hell-bent on taking down police officers and will not submit themselves to face the might of the law," Mkhwanazi said.
Meanwhile, three suspects appeared in Ntuzuma Magistrate Court over the killing of five people last week Wednesday in Inanda. Naicker said that the suspects were arrested on Thursday and cops were following leads regarding suspects involved in multiple murders. "The team worked around the clock to connect the dots in solving the case. The information led the team to a clinic in KwaMashu where three suspects were arrested. They were found in possession of eight rounds of ammunition. "Further investigation led detectives to a house at Amaoti, where police were met with gunfire. Following a shootout, a 60-year-old man believed to be a traditional healer used by the suspects, was fatally wounded. He was found in possession of a revolver with three rounds of ammunition. On Wednesday at 21:30, police at Inanda received a report of a shooting at the Tambo Plaza area in Amaoti. When police officers arrived at the scene they found the bodies of five men in a RDP house. The deceased were found in the house with multiple gunshot wounds. It was established that all five deceased who were in their 20s, were in the house when they were shot by unknown suspects who arrived in a getaway vehicle. A sixth victim who was shot in the hand, was taken to hospital for medical attention," he said. The three suspects are expected back in court on 3 November 2023 for a bail hearing.
