Ixopo - A police shootout near Ixopo on Monday led to the death of a carjacking suspect, and the arrest of another.
Police spokeswoman Captain Nqobile Gwala said in a statement that the victim had been driving her vehicle along P68 main road towards Thathani when she was attacked by four armed suspects.
"They robbed her of her Nissan bakkie vehicle and drove off towards Highflats. A case of carjacking was opened at Highflats SAPS."
Gwala said that that afternoon police followed up information regarding the hijacked vehicle at Umlazi K Section, in the Engonyameni area.
"The police officials attempted to intercept the hijacked vehicle but the suspects, who were travelling in the vehicle, sped off whilst firing shots at (police). The officers pursued the vehicle and returned fire. The hijacked vehicle eventually came to a standstill after colliding into a wall."
She said two suspects managed to flee the scene on foot.
One suspect, aged 21, was arrested whilst the other believed to be in his twenties sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died at the scene. No injuries were sustained by police officers during the shootout."
The arrested suspect is appearing at the Umlazi Magistrates Court on Tuesday on charges of attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.