KZN police kill 2 suspected criminals in shootout

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal police have shot and killed two suspects linked to the Ixopo mass shooting, during a shootout on Tuesday afternoon.

Seven family members including three children were killed in the Hlokoza area last month.

Police in the province said they were following up on intelligence about the suspects’ whereabouts when they spotted a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects. 

“Police signalled for the driver of the vehicle to stop but instead of obeying lawful orders, the suspects fired shots at police officers and the police were left with no other option but to return fire in self-defence,” said police spokesperson Roberty Netshiunda.

He said police found a dead woman with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle, but it is unclear if she was shot by the police or the suspects. 

“During the shootout, two suspects were shot and fatally wounded. After the shootout it was also discovered that there was a woman inside the suspects' vehicle who also sustained fatal gunshot wounds. A rifle and a police-issued pistol were found in possession of the suspects.”

A third suspect is at large, and a manhunt is under way.