Police at the scene of a shootout in Duffs Road where four suspects were shot dead when they opened fire on police officers on Thursday. Picture: Siphesihle Buthelezi
Image: Siphesihle Buthelezi
Police are investigating whether the suspects who were killed in a shootout with police in Duffs Road, along Dumisani Makhaye Drive, north of the Durban CBD on Thursday, were part of a larger criminal network.
The four men who had been linked to cases of murder, robbery and extortion in the eThekwini District, were shot dead after they opened fire on police.
The shootout occurred when police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle as it was travelling along Lark Road toward Dumisani Makhaye Drive. According to police, upon spotting the police's vehicle, the suspects opened fire, prompting officers to return fire.
During the exchange, three suspects were killed in their vehicle while a fourth suspect, who attempted to flee, was later found dead nearby with gunshot wounds.
Police recovered three unlicensed firearms from the scene, two from inside the suspects' vehicle and one with the fleeing suspect.
The KwaZulu-Natal SAPS confirmed in a statement that no police officers were injured during the shootout.
Police officers stand near the suspects' red vehicle. Picture: Siphesihle Buthelezi
Image: Siphesihle Buthelezi
Police spokesperson Colonel Amanda Funani, speaking to the media at the scene, stated that the suspects were linked to several violent crimes, but she could not confirm whether they were part of a specific gang and that aspect would form part of their investigations.
She said authorities are working to profile the deceased suspects and determine whether they had any additional accomplices still at large.
“For now, we’re still busy with our investigations. What I can say is that four of them were fatally wounded today, and (of those) one of them was shot while he was trying to evade arrest,” said Funani.
"I can confirm that they are linked to various cases occurring in the neighbourhood.”
When asked about the specific crimes the men were suspected of, Funani said: “They are linked to cases including murder, robbery, and extortion. Of course, there are some other cases, but we are still in the investigation stage.”