Mkhwanazi calls for 'reconciliation' between cops and criminals to avoid deaths

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal police say the deadly shooting incidents between them and suspected criminals will continue until villains give in.

More than 120 suspects have been killed in shootouts with the police while around 10 police officers were killed by criminals - this year alone. 

Police say while this is not the way they would like to address crime - they will not surrender to criminals.

KwaZulu-Natal has seen an increase in shooting incidents between police and suspected criminals this year.

Police said on many occasions the suspects resisted arrest and open fire on them.

The list of crimes they're wanted include murder, hijacking, house robberies and rape.

Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi: "The unfortunate part is as I always say it is a war. There is a group of people in this province that are blood-thirsty, they don't care if they kill for them to get their way."

He said the deadly battle would only stop when criminals surrender to police.

"So, until the criminals and us reconcile like we are reconciling these few days, until we reconcile, and we put arms down – perhaps we won't see many deaths from both sides."

Mkhwanazi also called on police officers to protect themselves when faced with brazen criminals.