Suspects die in KZN gun battle
2008-03-11 17:14
Durban - Two suspects were shot dead in gun battles with police on KwaZulu-Natal's south coast, police said on Tuesday.
A third suspect was wounded and 11 others were arrested.
Superintendent Zandra Hechter said officers were following up an investigation on another shooting incident that took place on Monday in Braemar, near Scottburgh, when the two were shot dead.
Hechter was unable to disclose any immediate details on Monday's initial shooting incident.
"At about 20:00 last night (Monday), the officers were on the R612 when they spotted the two vehicles they had been looking for," she said.
Second shootout
The police began following the cars - an Audi and a Toyota Corolla - when both stopped on the road.
"The occupants got out of the vehicles and began firing at the police. The police returned fire," she said.
Two suspects were shot and one of them died at the scene.
A 9mm pistol was found. The wounded suspect was taken to a local hospital.
"The other occupants of the vehicles ran a few metres and got into two other vehicles and the police gave chase once again," Hechter said.
A short while later, a second shootout took place.
Police said another suspect was shot dead and 11 others were arrested.
All four cars were seized.
Six pistols, one LM 4 rifle and 14 cellphones were impounded.
- SAPA