Six individuals believed to be part of a notorious criminal gang were shot by the police in a shootout in the Inanda township, located to the north of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning.
The Notorious Gang’s Reign of Terror
According to reports, these suspects were notorious for terrorizing the community of Inanda and neighbouring townships, including KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Lindelani, and Phoenix. The gang, involved in activities such as car hijackings, murder, robbery, fraud, and drug dealing, has been a significant concern for local residents.
Authorities apprehended three suspects during the operation, and the crime scene yielded a cache of rifles. The suspects, known for their brazen attitude, reportedly challenged the police officers, vowing retaliation through gunfire if they attempted an arrest.
Six gang members killed in police shootout-Image Source@XThe Intense Shootout
KwaZulu Natal provincial spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, confirmed the incident, stating, “Police acted on intelligence regarding the whereabouts of suspects wanted for house robberies, murders, business robbery, and carjacking.”
Intelligence-led the police to a residence in Emachobeni in Inanda. Upon announcing their arrival, the suspects responded with a hail of bullets towards the police, prompting the law enforcement officers to return fire. In the aftermath of the shootout, six suspects were found with fatal gunshot wounds, and three additional suspects (two men and a 31-year-old woman) were successfully apprehended.
During the operation, one police officer sustained a minor injury, having been grazed by a bullet on the hand. Among the items recovered from the suspects were two rifles and a shotgun. Additionally, a vehicle hijacked in KwaDabeka in December 2023 was found in their possession.
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Brigadier Naicker emphasized, “The arrested suspects will be presented before the court soon.”
Last year, ZiMoja reported on 17 notorious criminals shot and killed by the SAPS in Inanda. With this recent incident, the tally of gang members meeting a similar fate in Inanda has now risen to 24.
