DURBAN – Police in Mariannhill have opened an inquest docket after four suspects were fatally wounded in an exchange of gunfire with police on Thursday afternoon.
Members of the Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) and Provincial Investigations and Tracking Task Team, under the banner of “Operation Qondisa,” were following up intelligence about a gang which was allegedly responsible for a spate of murders in the province.
The four suspects were spotted traveling in a white vehicle along Higginson Highway in St Wendolins and police instructed them to stop. Instead of heeding to police’s instructions, the suspects opened fire towards the police officers. During the exchange of gunfire, the four suspects were fatally wounded.
Preliminary police investigations have confirmed that the suspects were on the list of the most wanted for cases such as murder, attempted murder, hijackings, armed robberies and extortion among an avalanche of other serious and violent crimes.
Police recovered an AK47 assault rifle with one magazine and 19 rounds of ammunition, as well as a vehicle which was suspected to have been stolen. Ink stained bank notes were also found inside the suspect’s vehicle.
No police officer was injured during the gun battle and all role players, including the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) were summoned to the scene for further investigations.
Source: South African Police Service