A suspect wanted for shooting at police officers on Saturday was killed in a shoot-out with police when he again attempted to kill police officers in Inanda, near Durban, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect shot at police officers and injured a constable on September 14.
In a statement on Thursday, Netshiunda said that police had gathered intelligence about the whereabouts of the suspect.
He said that when police announced their presence at a house in the Ohlange area of Inanda, the suspect opened fire at the police officers.
“During the resultant shoot-out, the suspect was shot and fatally wounded. Three police officers sustained minor injuries during the shoot-out,” said Netshiunda.
Detailing the incident of September 14, Netshiunda said police were on a routine stop-and-search operation along the M25 Road in Inanda when they spotted a man who was acting strangely.
He said police proceeded to stop and search him.
“The suspect suddenly opened fire at three police officers, injuring a constable with a bullet which struck him just below his bullet-resistant vest and he was rushed to hospital,” he said.
Netshiunda said two of the constable’s colleagues survived the shooting unharmed.
“The suspect then fled the scene and a manhunt for him was launched which culminated in his demise on Thursday morning, 19 September,” he said.
Police said the suspect was found in possession of a firearm which was reported stolen in Inanda at the beginning of September 2024.
“The firearm belonged to his uncle, who is a metro police officer,” added Netshiunda.
The Mercury