Mariannhill shooting: KZN police receive praise as they search for 2 more suspects
Nine suspected criminals were shot and killed in the area, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The crime scene in Mariannhill, in KwaZulu-Natal, where nine suspected criminals were killed in a shootout with police on 3 April 2024. Picture: Nhlanhla Mabaso/Eyewitness News
DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety Department has applauded police in the province following Wednesday's deadly shooting in Mariannhill - west of Durban.
Nine suspected criminals were shot and killed in the area, in the early hours of the morning.
Police said they were acting on intelligence they received on the suspects’ whereabouts when they were met with gunfire.
The provincial government department has described the incident as excellent police work.
Read: Families of alleged criminals killed in Mariannhill shootout in shock over their deaths
[WATCH] A crying mother who has just identified the body of her son killed by police, she can also be heard screaming ‘Ingane yami’ which translates to ‘my child’. @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/erdpynPrNP
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 3, 2024
Authorities said police were initially looking for a group of eleven suspects linked to various crimes in the area.
And with only nine of the alleged group killed, they say the search to apprehend the remaining two continues.
The Department of Community Safety in the province has lauded the police for their action.
“MEC [Sipho] Hlomuka has praised the excellent work being done by law enforcement agencies in the province and commended the dedication and bravery displayed by law enforcement officers in executing their duties," said spokesperson Thando Biyela.
Police also recovered a rifle on the scene, bringing the number of guns recovered to three.
Police are still working on the active crime scene, with all the nine bodies yet to be removed. @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/7tmjI52fcL
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 3, 2024
IPID TO PROBE KILLING OF 9 SUSPECTS
Meanwhile, Police watchdog IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) says it will take 90 days to investigate the killing of 9 suspects in Mariannhill.
Despite praise from the Department of Community Safety in the province, IPID is required by law to investigate any shootings involving police.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping says their officers have been on the scene.
"Normally what we do is when there is a death as a result of police action or a discharge of a firearm, as IPID we are mandated to investigate that evidence and what I want to make clear is that we don't investigate because we suspect there is wrongdoing. We investigate to establish a fact."