Three Suspects, Including Police Sergeant, Killed in Ntuzuma Shootouts Following Richmond Robbery
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal — In a shocking series of events on Sunday afternoon, a police sergeant was among three suspected armed robbers shot and killed in two separate shootouts with law enforcement in Ntuzuma. The incidents followed a brazen robbery in Richmond earlier that morning, where a group of armed men, some dressed in police uniforms, stormed a local store.
The robbers, six in total, held the store owner and staff at gunpoint, seizing their firearms, an undisclosed amount of money, and other valuables. The group then fled the scene in two vehicles, which were later traced to a residence on Mgwenya Avenue in Lindelani, thanks to swift police action based on operational intelligence.
Upon arrival, police were met with gunfire as the suspects attempted to escape. Two of the suspects were fatally wounded in the ensuing shootout. Both were found wearing police headdresses, with one also in possession of a police firearm and bulletproof vest. Additional police gear, including another bulletproof vest and a raincoat, was recovered inside the house. A vehicle belonging to a police officer, who had just finished a night shift at KwaMashu Police Station, was also discovered at the scene.
Further intelligence led police to Phindangene informal settlement in Ntuzuma B, where an injured police sergeant was reportedly hiding in a shack. When police arrived, the sergeant opened fire, resulting in a fatal exchange. The officer was identified as the owner of the police firearm found on one of the suspects at the first crime scene, as well as the vehicle at the residence.
A manhunt is currently underway for the remaining three suspects who are still at large. The residence where the suspects were found belongs to a known cash-in-transit robbery suspect currently out on bail. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the police sergeant’s involvement in other criminal activities.
The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, emphasized the SAPS’s commitment to rooting out corruption within its ranks. “Police officers who involve themselves in criminal activities will face the full force of the law,” Mkhwanazi stated.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the remaining suspects to contact their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.