Two suspected hitmen, believed to be on route to carry out a planned assassination, were killed in a shoot-out with police in Mahlabathini on Wednesday night.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police received intelligence about two men in a red VW Polo who were allegedly on their way to kill a local taxi owner.

Officers tracked down the vehicle on the P700 road in Mahlabathini, activating their blue lights and sirens to signal the driver to stop.

When the driver halted in the middle of the road, the two men exited the car and opened fire on the police.

Police suspect weapon to have had been used in prior crimes.

Officers returned fire, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunshots. Both suspects were fatally wounded during the shoot-out.

Police recovered three firearms and ammunition at the scene.

Initial investigations revealed that one of the weapons had been reported stolen in January from the Macekane Reserve in Mtunzini.

Fortunately, no officers were injured in the incident. Police say the firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they are linked to any other crimes in the region.