'Specialising in jewellery': Four alleged robbers shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal police shootout
Police officers at the scene in Woodlands, Durban, where four suspects were shot dead during a shootout with KwaZulu-Natal police on Friday.
Image: Screengrab/ ALS Paramedics
Four people have been shot dead during a shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the incident occurred on Friday afternoon in Woodlands, Durban.
SAPS provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said some of the wanted robbers managed to flee.
“These are the suspects that we were looking for, mainly for business robberies, including the robbery yesterday in Tongaat where a jewellery store was targeted. Our informants, who are always on the lookout and whom we are thankful for, informed us of their whereabouts.
“It is our duty to confront them. During that confrontation, there was a shootout, which left four suspects shot and fatally wounded.
“We have made seven arrests so far and recovered four firearms. There are those that narrowly escaped, and a search for them is under way,” Netshiunda said.
He added that the criminal gang has been linked to business robberies.
“It appears they were specialising in jewellery. They could be linked to more business robberies,” he said.
Police said the incident occurred in the Bester area during an operation targeting suspects wanted for serious violent crimes.
The men were wanted for murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
Members of the South African Police Service allegedly came under fire during the operation and returned fire. All five suspects were fatally wounded.
No police officers were injured in that incident.
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