PROMINENT KZN businessman Nkululeko Mkhize has been shot dead.
It appears that Mkhize died during a gunfight with the police's national intervention unit when they stormed his residential place in Zimbali Estate in Ballito, north of Durban on Wednesday, 20 September.
He was allegedly linked with the killing of five people at a parking lot in the Richards Bay CBD on Tuesday, 19 September.
Mkhize from Richards Bay north of KZN is also a taxi boss who recently shot to fame when he gifted over 1 million in cash at a traditional bridal shower of his fiancé called 'indishi' in Ulundi.
Zimbali Estate CEO Francois Schoeman released a statement saying he is aware of the incident.
“At 3pm, teams from the SAPS national intervention and SAPS crime intelligence unit conducted a successful, prearranged operation within Zimbali Estate with the goal of apprehending a resident associated with an ongoing criminal case.
“Regrettably, during the operation, gunshots were exchanged, resulting in the death of suspects. However, the authorities were able to apprehend several other individuals involved,” he said.
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Schoeman said though they may lack comprehensive details about the case, they find solace in knowing that their Estate has been cleared of these criminal elements.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the shooting and said two suspects were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police in Ballito.
“Six firearms and over a thousand rounds of ammunition were found at a scene of crime where two suspects were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police at an estate in Ballito on Wednesday afternoon.
“Police officers from the KZN stability unit operationalised intelligence regarding the whereabouts of suspects who were alleged to have been linked with the killing of five people at a parking lot in the Richards Bay CBD on Tuesday morning,” he said.
He said the tactically astute police officers penetrated the residence and before they knew it, they found themselves under gunfire from the suspects.
“Police retaliated and at the end of the shoot-out, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
“IPD were summoned to the scene for further investigation. Police investigations into the matter continue and a search for more possible suspects is ongoing,” Netshiunda said.
