Durban - Two suspected robbers have died during a shootout with police officers in Newlands East, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.
Colonel Jay Naicker said officers were attacked by four suspects while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Briardale Drive at 7pm on Monday.
“The suspects attempted to flee and were pursued by police until they lost control of the vehicle. During the ensuing gun battle, two suspects were fatally wounded, whilst one was injured and taken to hospital where he remains under police guard.”
A fourth suspect was arrested without any injuries and detained for attempted murder, Naicker said.
“Police recovered two firearms in the suspects possession,” he said.
Naicker added that the vehicle used by the suspects was previously seen in the area when houses were robbed.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni praised the two police officers who responded to the incident.
“We are pleased that none of our members were wounded in the shootout. I hope that this once again sends a clear message to criminals that our police officers are not afraid of them and despite losing a number of police officers at the hands of criminals, we remain committed to fighting crime in this province,” she said.
ANA