The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is probing the death of two men who were killed in a shootout with police during the early hours of Thursday morning at Phoenix north of Durban.
It is alleged that police stopped a suspicious-looking vehicle when one of the occupants opened fire, injuring one of the officers.
IPID’s spokesperson Grace Langa says the other officers then retaliated resulting in the death of the two occupants whilst the third occupant sustained injuries.
“The IPID is investigating a case of death as a result of police action. It happened at northern drive at Phoenix KwaZulu-Natal. It is alleged that today [Thursday] 16 September in the morning, the police saw a suspicious vehicle [and] activated blue lights,” adds Langa.
“One of the officers before he could even reach the vehicle the suspect shot at the officer who got injured. The other officers retaliated by shooting at the suspects, two died at the scene one was taken to the hospital,” explains Langa.
Meanwhile, in June, seven suspects were shot and killed during a police shootout in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg.
The suspects were linked to a spate of robberies and other crimes in the area of Pietermaritzburg.
The video below is reporting on the shooting and killing of the seven suspects:
