Six suspects shot dead in separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal
Four of the six suspects shot dead on Thursday morning in KwaZulu-Natal were allegedly involved in CIT heists and extortion.
Six alleged suspects were shot dead in two separate incidents by KwaZulu-Natal police in the early hours of Thursday, 16 May.
Police also recovered five firearms in the two scenes.
SIX SUSPECTS SHOT DEAD IN KWAZULU-NATAL
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said four men who were suspected to be behind a string of cash-in-transit robberies in the province were shot and fatally wounded in an early morning shootout with police in Camperdown.
Naicker said a team of police officers from various units, including the Hawks, gathered intelligence regarding the suspects’ whereabouts.
“When police announced their arrival at the identified house, they were greeted with a hail of bullets from the suspects.
“The police officers returned fire, and during the shootout, four suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Three firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” Naicker explained.
In the second incident, police officers who are members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) operationalised intelligence and cornered two suspects who were sought for intimidation, extortion, and other violent crimes.
Naicker said when police pounced on the suspects at their hideout at the Klaarwater Hostel in Marianhill, the suspects opened fire at the police officers who were stamping the authority of the state.
“Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded in the shootout. Two firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” he added.
Additionally, Naicker said police in KwaZulu-Natal remain committed to enforce and uphold the law by preventing, combatting and investigating crime.
“Suspects who challenge the authority of the state by shooting at police officers will be met with force proportional to their actions,” he emphasised.
MIXED REACTIONS AFTER ALLEGED CRIMINALS WERE GUNNED DOWN
In April, KwaZulu-Natal police were in the spotlight once again after they shot dead nine suspects in Desai, Marianhill.
The alleged criminals, aged between 18 – 23, allegedly terrorised the community for some time.
While many lauded the men and women in blue for killing the alleged criminals, experts had a different view.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, crime and policing expert, Calvin Rafadi, called on police to adopt proactive measures to combat crime.
Rafadi said the police acted swiftly but were not proactive.
“Crime intelligence could have monitored the house and apprehended the criminals,” he said.
“Such operations are well-planned. The houses are well-monitored, and by the time you apprehend these criminals, you know who is trigger-happy at that house,” he added.