In an ongoing gun battle between police and criminals in KwaZulu-Natal, two alleged hitmen were cornered and shot dead in Durban’s Ntuzuma township in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to the police, the two men were wanted for a string of armed robberies and killings. One of them was linked to an alleged attempted murder of a police officer earlier this year.
A police officer was apparently shot in the face by the brazen thugs when cops swooped on the suspects while at a house in Ntuzuma.
Upon seeing that they had been ambushed, the alleged hitmen opened fire and police retaliated, killing them instantly.
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“It was a high-risk operation involving the SAPS [SA Police Service], Fidelity, SIU [Special Investigating Unit], Hawks Protection Services, Durban Metro Police Service special operation [unit], and Magma Security and Investigations,” said the police on Wednesday.
“Two firearms were recovered at the scene.”
The police are also hot on the heels of other alleged hitmen, who are believed to be members of a gang responsible for terrorising communities.
“The police remain committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice.”
Fight fire with fire
KwaZulu-Natal has seen a sharp rise of suspects being killed by police. About 98 suspects have been mowed down since April.
All the suspects, according to the police, were wanted felons.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi remains unrepentant, saying police have taken a hardline against criminals who shoot to kill.
He said police are prepared to meet them head on and cautioned against crime experts who accuse police of being trigger-happy.
