Four suspects killed in KwaZulu-Natal shootout linked to jewellery robberies
Four suspects fatally shot in a dramatic police shootout in KwaZulu-Natal, linked to a series of jewellery robberies, as authorities intensify efforts to combat crime in the region.
Image: AI / ChatGPT
IN a dramatic confrontation on Friday afternoon, four men were shot dead during a shootout with police in Woodlands, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The incident unfolded as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) attempted to apprehend a group of wanted robbers linked to a series of jewellery thefts.
SAPS provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that some of the suspects managed to escape during the confrontation. “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,” he stated.
Colonel Netshiunda further explained the police's duty to confront the suspects. “It is our duty to confront them. During that confrontation, there was a shootout, which left four suspects shot and fatally wounded.”
In addition to the fatalities, authorities have made seven arrests and recovered four firearms.
“There are those that narrowly escaped, and a search for them is under way,” Netshiunda added.
He also noted that the criminal gang has been linked to multiple business robberies, stating, “It appears they were specialising in jewellery. They could be linked to more business robberies.”
This incident follows a previous shootout reported by IOL last week, where five wanted suspects were killed during a police operation in Inanda, north of Durban.
Police indicated that the operation targeted individuals wanted for serious violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery.
During that encounter, members of the SAPS allegedly came under fire and returned fire, resulting in all five suspects being fatally wounded. Fortunately, no police officers were injured in that incident.