A man suspected of being behind the murder of five people in Richards Bay was killed in a shootout with police at the luxury Zimbali estate in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday.
According to police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda, officers from the KwaZulu-Natal Stabilization Unit followed up on intelligence gathered as part of their investigation into the murder of five people in a parking lot in the central business district (CBD) of Richards Bay.
"Tactically astute officers entered the residence, and before they knew it, they found themselves being shot at by the suspects,” Netshiunda said. Police returned fire, and at the end of the gunfight, two suspects were seriously injured by gunfire.
"Netshiunda added that six guns and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found at the crime scene. "The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been summoned to the scene for further investigation.
Police are continuing their inquiries into this matter, and the search for other possible suspects is underway," he said. In a statement, François Schoeman, CEO of Zimbali, said police carried out a planned operation in the Zimbali estate with the aim of “arresting a resident in connection with a criminal case.""
Schoeman said: Unfortunately, during the operation, gunfire occurred, leading to the deaths of the suspects. However, authorities have arrested a number of other people involved. Police have not confirmed any arrests at the time of publication.
“Despite the lack of complete details about the case, we feel secure in knowing that our property has been cleared of these criminal elements,” Schoeman added. The safety and security of our community remain paramount, and we appreciate the dedicated efforts of law enforcement to ensure health and the special accommodations that have been made to ensure the safety of local people.
”KwaZulu-Natal has recently experienced a number of mass shootings and gun-related violence. In August, gunmen shot seven people dead and attempted to kill another in the Q area of ??Umlazi. In June, seven people were shot dead at the notorious Glebelands Hotel in Umlazi.
In April, gunmen burst into a house in Pietermaritzburg and killed a family of eight.
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