Families of alleged criminals killed in Mariannhill shootout in shock over their deaths

DURBAN - The Mariannhill shooting ended with tears, as the families of some of the victims were informed of their deaths.

Police and forensic pathologists allowed some family members to identify the bodies of their family members before leaving the scene.

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But this came with great pain for some, as they could not contain their shock.

Police have just finished combing through the deadly shooting scene where nine people were shot and killed by officers in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The family of some of the deceased who identified their family members were overwhelmed with shock and grief.

One of them, a mother to one of the victims, was so distraught that she struggled to walk after seeing her son’s body.

Earlier on, some community members told Eyewitness News that the gang was feared in the area.

Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said: "They instilled so much fear in the community that they would come to your house to commit any sort of crime and tell you straight that if you report the crime, you’re gone."

However, the families of the victims said they were devastated by the death of their loved ones.