Durban - A man was shot and killed in a shoot-out with police in Ladysmith in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Members of the National Intervention Unit were following up on information of two alleged taxi hitmen who were in possession of stolen firearms.
According to police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane, police surrounded a house in the St Chads area of Ezakheni in Ladysmith when suspects inside the house opened fire on police.
“Police returned fire, whereupon the suspects ran out from the house. One of the suspects allegedly fired upon police as they gave chase on foot, and was shot and killed,” Zwane said.
The second suspect managed to evade arrest. Zwane confirmed that an unlicensed firearm was found in possession of the shot suspect.
The unit has recovered a total of 21 unlicensed firearms with 125 live rounds and arrested 10 suspects for possession of unlicensed firearms at the Ladysmith and Eshowe areas since January 17.
He said the police also recovered firearms including AK47 rifles, 303 rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolver specials.
“The members will continue with such operations to get rid of unlicensed firearms in the province. All recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the province.”
Daily News