A suspect who allegedly robbed an off-duty police officer before shooting him dead was killed in a shootout with the police yesterday morning. The officer was shot on Sunday in Clermont, outside Durban in KwaZulu Natal.

It is alleged that in the early hours of Sunday morning, two off-duty police officers, one from Durban Central SAPS and one from KwaDabeka SAPS were visiting a private residence in Clermont when they were attacked in their vehicle by two suspects. KZN police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the 34-year-old deceased constable, who was the driver of the car, was killed before he was robbed of his firearm whilst his colleague (35) who was also robbed of his firearm, was left unharmed. "The two suspects fled the scene with both policemen's firearms as well as a wallet and cellphone," he said.

Naicker added that following an around the clock investigation that began after the shooting, police received information that one of the killers was at an informal settlement in Clermont. "As police officers approached the suspect's residence, they were met with gunfire. The suspect who is in his 30s, sustained fatal injuries and investigations are ongoing to trace his accomplice," Naicker added. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect. "Detectives are also working on information that the deceased suspect is linked to a string of murders, robberies and carjackings." KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the multidisciplinary team for their bravery when they came under fire from the suspect who allegedly killed one of their own.

In another shootout between the police and armed suspects in KZN, three suspects were shot dead in the Ngcobo area on Sunday. This comes after members from the Tactical Response Team operationalised intelligence information and intercepted a suspicious vehicle at a gravel road between Nkondlo and Clarkebery near Mhlophekazi Administrative Area. Spokesperson Namhla Mdleleni said as the police attempted to stop the vehicle, the occupants opened fire and cops retaliated. "Three suspects died on the scene and two were injured, while the sixth suspect was arrested on the scene. The injured men are currently in hospital under police guard," Mdleleni said. Police also seized two unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Mdleleni said that the three suspects aged between 35 and 52 will be charged for crimes ranging from murder to possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are due to appear in court soon. No police officers were injured during the incident. The District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, lauded members for their swift action. "There is a possibility that these men were operating as izinkabi and your actions possibly saved a life," said Adolph.