KZN police vow to continue clamping down on extortion-related crimes

JOHANNESBURG - KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police have vowed to continue clamping down on extortion-related crimes plaguing parts of the province.

This after three suspects allegedly linked to numerous extortion and murder cases were gunned down.

The suspects were involved in shootouts with KZN police in Durban on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

In the first incident, police followed up on information about a suspect wanted in connection with at least four cases of extortion and four of murder in kwaNdengezi and Mariannhill.

Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda: "When police arrived at a house at Gilebe in Inanda, the suspect fired shots at the police and during the shootout, the suspect was shot and fatally wounded. He was found in possession of a 7.65 pistol with four rounds of ammunition."

Netshiunda said in the other incident, intelligence led police to the hideout of two suspects also wanted in connection with extortion and murder allegations.

"The suspects were cornered at Edabe informal settlement in Tshelimnyama in Mariannhill and the suspects shot at the police from inside the house. In self-defence, police returned fire and during the shootout, two suspects were shot and fatally wounded. They were found in possession of two firearms. All recovered firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to ascertain if they are linked to other crime scenes."

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