South African Police Kill Six Suspects In Shootout
In an early morning encounter near Durban, South African police engaged in a shootout, resulting in the death of six suspects. The police operation targeted a gang linked to a series of house robberies and murders that had recently occurred.
The escalating crime rates in South Africa have raised concerns, with the country recording three murders per hour in the first three months of 2023. The South African Police Service (SAPS) stated that the operation was based on intelligence regarding the suspects involved in house robberies, murders, business robberies, and carjackings.
Upon reaching a residence in Inanda, a crime-prone township northwest of Durban, the police encountered a fierce exchange of gunfire. Three suspects, including a woman and two men, were apprehended. Police Minister Bheki Cele, who visited the scene, reported the discovery of valuable items such as expensive alcohol and technology in the house.
The intense shootout lasted approximately 25 minutes, with Minister Cele expressing gratitude that the police survived the encounter. Authorities recovered two rifles, a shotgun, and a vehicle stolen in December from the premises.
This incident follows a similar event in September, where police thwarted a cash-in-transit heist in the country’s northeast, resulting in the death of eighteen individuals.