6 killed on farm, suspects in 25 cases

2011-07-04 18:49

Lauren Hess, News24

Cape Town - The six men who were killed on a Richmond farm on Sunday night and Monday morning were wanted for at least 25 robberies and a businessman's murder.

The men were part of a 23-man gang wanted for a spate of business and house robberies across KwaZulu-Natal.

After being alerted to the attempted robbery on a farm just outside Eston, a shoot-out ensued between police and the seven robbers.

Five of the men were killed on Sunday night. Another, who was shot in the leg, was found the following day and the seventh was shot dead on Monday morning after failing to surrender, a police source said

The source told News24 that the seven were part of a 23-man gang that crime intelligence officers and detectives were tracking for just over two weeks.

A few days ago, police had arrested 12 members of the gang. All the suspects are in their early 20's and are from the Marianhill area.

In a statement, police commissioner General Bheki Cele said: "These suspects chose to open fire on police officers rather than to surrender and by raising and firing on our police, five of the… thugs were fatally wounded. I am elated that my officers emerged unscathed.”  

“I should imagine that this incident would serve as a further reminder that our police officers will not take kindly to being shot at.

“It also proves that we are prepared to protect our clients, the citizens of South Africa, both in urban and rural areas.”

Police are still hunting for the other four suspects.

- News24