Two most wanted criminals in KwaZulu Natal were killed in a shootout with the police on Saturday night. It is alleged that the criminals were wanted for murder, car hijackings and being involved in drugs operations around Inanda in the north of Durban.

CAUGHT ON THEIR WAY TO CLEANSE THEMSELVES

According to the police, the criminals were shot and killed while they were on their way to cleanse themselves after they committed two murders in Ntuzuma township. The bodies of the two females they had allegedly murdered prior to the shootout were found dumped around Ntuzuma on Saturday. KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident. "Two suspects who were on the list of most wanted suspects in connection with inter-provincial cash in transit robberies, house robberies and farm attacks were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Verulam on Saturday," Netshiunda said. He added that various police disciplines including the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the Hawks as well as private security officers operationalised intelligence and intercepted the suspects's vehicle on Jabu Ngcobo Drive. "Upon noticing the presence of the police, the suspects started firing shots at the men of law. Police retaliated and a shootout ensued," he said.

SHOOTOUT

Netshiunda said that after the shootout, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. "One suspect narrowly evaded arrest and fled from the scene in possession of a rifle. A manhunt for him is already underway. The two deceased suspects were among the 15 suspects who attempted to kill TRT members during a foiled cash in transit robbery in Nkandla in August 2019. The very same suspects were later arrested but absconded from court after they were released on bail. A firearm was found in the possession of the deceased suspects," he said.