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Ten killed in KZN highway police shootouts

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Ten suspects have been shot and killed, while three others have been injured in three separate shootouts with the police in Pietermaritzburg, Clermont and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

Six suspects were killed at Mpophomeni, outside Pietermaritzburg, and three others on the N3 near Marianhill Toll Plaza in Durban, and another suspect was shot dead in Mvuzane in Clermont, west of Durban.

Police say units including Task Force, Crime Intelligence and National Intervention Units followed information about an impending robbery in Bulwer in the KwaZulu Natal midlands.

They followed three suspicious vehicles. Two cars drove towards Mpophomeni and another was Durban-bound.

When police tried to stop the vehicles, the suspects opened fire at the police, who retaliated killing a number of the suspects. Police also recovered six firearms from the cars in Mpophomeni and Marianhill.

Police spokesperson, Thulani Zwane says, “The two vehicles drove towards Mpophomeni area and the third vehicle drove towards N3 towards Durban. The police tried to stop the two at Mpophomeni but the occupants started to shoot towards the members and the members retaliated and six suspects were killed and one was wounded and taken to hospital for treatment.”

The third vehicle that was driving towards Durban, the members again tried to stop the said vehicle but occupants started shooting towards the members and the members retaliated three of the suspects were shot and killed, added Zwane.

Police also say the vehicle which was recovered in Clermont was hijacked at eShowe and one of the vehicles that was recovered in Mpophomeni had been reported stolen in Durban.

Police have opened cases of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and an inquest.

 

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