Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC has applauded law enforcement for a successful operation in Inanda, north of Durban, where police shot and killed four suspects who opened fire on them.
MEC Sipho Hlomuka lauded the stellar work of police after they shot dead four suspects, while one fled and is still on the run.
National police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that police are investigating cases of attempted murder of police officers and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition after four suspects were fatally wounded during a shoot-out with police in Inanda on Monday evening.
Netshiunda said that members of the Rapid Rail’s Cross Border and Freight from the national head office were acting on intelligence information when they entered a house in Ngoqokazi, Amaoti area in Inanda.
“Upon entering the house, police allegedly found five suspects and during the process of arrest, two suspects allegedly drew firearms and shot at the police. It is further alleged that a shoot-out ensued in which four suspects were fatally wounded. One suspect fled the scene and the police are hot on his heels,” Netshiunda said.
He said that no police officers were injured during the shoot-out.
Hlomuka said that police have instituted a manhunt for the fugitive and appealed to the public to assist with any information that may lead to his arrest.
He expressed his pleasure with the outcome of this operation.
“This is a clear indication that we are squeezing the space for criminals. I want to applaud the swift and diligent manner in which these officers handled this operation. They acted with bravery and dedication, which should be a hallmark of all law enforcement operations,” Hlomuka said.
He said that the operation indicated that as a provincial government they were “reclaiming our streets from criminals. Such intelligence-driven operations are going to continue in many hot spot areas that are being targeted by law enforcement. We are determined to turn the tide against all criminal activity in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Hlomuka said this operation shows that the recently held ministerial crime prevention imbizo roadshow, which was held in Inanda, uMlazi and Clermont, was not just a talk shop, but a statement of intent made by the government to reassure our people that law and order are being restored.
He added that the success of this operation was a morale booster for the department, law enforcement and the entire Justice Crime Prevention Cluster as it ushers in the November Safety Month and the festive season crime prevention campaign on a high note.
Hlomuka appealed to the community to play an active role in crime prevention by informing law enforcement of any criminal activity in their communities.
“We must unite and build a stronger united front against crime. Government alone cannot win the battle against crime, it is our collective responsibility,” Hlomuka said.
Netshiunda said that the deceased suspects, who are believed to be in their thirties, were allegedly behind a spate of murders and other violent crimes in the eThekwini District. The incident was duly reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, which will investigate the four counts of the inquest.
Daily News