FIVE suspected drug dealers were shot dead in a gun battle with cops in Morningside, Durban on Saturday, 1 April.
One of the dead suspect's dad is a former cop. This suspect is believed to have been a gang leader.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said KZN police believe they have broken the back of a syndicate behind a spate of shootings and drug-related crimes in Durban, KZN.
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She said this follows the arrest of one suspected drug dealer on Saturday morning during an intelligence-driven operation.
Mathe said the KZN police’s anti-gang unit was searching for suspects linked to a murder case where three people including a child were shot and killed on 21 March in Springsfield, Durban.
They spotted a car fitting the description of the vehicle used in the commission of the crime.
"Following the arrest of the suspect who is currently in police custody, further investigation led the team to an identified premises in Morningside, Durban where five other suspected drug dealers were shot and killed during a shoot-out with the police’s anti-gang unit," she said.
She said five firearms including three rifles and two pistols, money and drugs worth an undisclosed amount of money were seized by police.
"The arrested suspect will likely face charges of possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearms and possession of a stolen motor vehicle," she said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Bheki Cele went to the crime scene and said this incident should send a stern warning to all criminals.
A resident, Thulani Dube (33) said he also believes that drug-related killings will decrease and probably lead to a drug-free area since the drug gang is no more.
Another resident said it's sad for the dead people's families that they will never see them again but this is actually good for residents.
"These people made money through selling drugs to the kids and it was totally wrong," said the resident.
