ONE man died when cops cornered thugs in Durban.
This after thugs who were stopped by the police as they drove along the Newlands area in Durban yesterday opened fire at the police. A gun battle between the police and the thugs ensued before the thugs escaped.
Cops gave chase and when the thugs were cornered, some got out of the car and escaped into the bushes. One thug, who was a driver, died.
KZN police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said cops from Newlands East, Durban received intelligence about a possible hit that was going to be carried out at a school in the area.
Naicker said the residents relayed the information to the police officers from the Provincial Vehicle and Trio Task Team.
“While the police officers were patrolling in the area, they spotted the car used by the hitmen. Police officers who attempted to pull the vehicle over were met with gunfire from the occupants of the vehicle,” said Naicker.
He said following the shoot-out, the suspects fled in their car with police officers in pursuit.
“When the men were cornered at a dead-end, two suspects alighted from the vehicle and fled into the bushes. The driver of the vehicle passed away due to injuries sustained during the shoot-out,” said Naicker.
He said the police recovered an automatic rifle, two pistols, 2 x two-way radios and 40 rounds of ammunition in the suspects’ vehicle.
“An investigation is underway to establish the identities of the two men who fled so that they can be brought to book. Police at Newlands East are investigating cases of attempted murder as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition against the men,” said Nacker.
Deputy police commissioner in KZN for visible policing Major-General Phumelele Makoba applauded police officers for following up on information that was received from the residents.
“This collaboration between police and the residents at Newlands East must be celebrated and we are appealing to other communities in the province who are experiencing such violent crimes to do the same. If we are going to win the war against crime, the residents need to expose these criminals,” she said.
Makoba appealed to anyone with information with regards to criminal activities to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report crime anonymously via the MySAPSApp.
