KZN police shoot one of their own while tracking suspected criminals in Ntuzuma

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal police shot and killed one of their own while tracking suspected criminals in Ntuzuma, north of Durban. 

The SAPS were searching for six suspected criminals linked to a shop robbery in the Richmond area on Sunday morning.

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After being tracked to the Lindelani area of Ntuzuma, two of the wanted suspects were shot and killed in a shootout with officers. 

Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda: "When the suspects realised the presence of the police, they opened fire as they ran out of the house. Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded at the scene. They were both found wearing police headdresses. One of them was also in possession of a police firearm and a police bulletproof vest. Another police bulletproof vest and a raincoat were found inside the house."

He added that intelligence led them to another suspect, who is also a police officer.  

"Police then received another intelligence about an injured police officer who was hiding inside a shack at Phindangene informal settlement in Ntuzuma B. When the police arrived at the scene, the police sergeant fired shots at the police officers and in the resulting shootout, he was shot and fatally wounded."

A manhunt is under for three other suspects.