Police officers from the K9 Unit were patrolling D Section in Umlazi yesterday, when they were approached by a woman seeking police assistance. She alleged that she and her two friends were robbed of their cellphones and handbags by three armed men.
The police officers followed the path used by the men to flee and spotted them along Mangosuthu Highway. Police gave chase and there was a shootout between police and the suspects. A 30-year-old suspect was fatally wounded during the shootout. A 9mm pistol was found next to the deceased suspect. The deceased’s two accomplices fled into nearby bushes and are still being sought by police.
In another operation at Umzinto, a total of five suspects were arrested for murder and two knives were seized from their possession. It is alleged on 17 August 2019 at 07:30, a 35-year-old man was found lying in a sugarcane plantation at Malangeni in Umzinto with multiple stab wounds to the body. He was also found holding an okapi knife.
It was established that earlier during the night a fight broke out at one of the homes in Malangeni. Investigations revealed that the suspects might be receiving medical attention at a local hospital.
Police officers from the Umzinto Task Team responded and five suspects were arrested. Two of the men had knives in their possession. One of the suspects is under police guard in hospital. They are expected to appear in the Umzinto Magistrates Court soon on a charge of murder.