Durban – In a dramatic night of police action by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's boys in blue across KwaZulu-Natal province, four suspected criminals, including one linked to a cash-in-transit robbery, have been shot dead in separate incidents. The events unfolded on Monday, 15 December, and Tuesday, 9 December, highlighting the ongoing battle between law enforcement and organised crime in the province.
The most recent incident occurred on Monday night in Maydon Wharf, Durban, when a wanted murder suspect was fatally wounded after engaging police in a shoot-out. According to KZN police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, police received intelligence indicating that the armed suspect was heading towards the Durban CBD.
"The information was operationalised by the police and Metro cops," Magwaza explained. "The minibus taxi in which the suspect was travelling was spotted by police, but before they could intercept it, the minibus taxi drove straight towards police officers and shots were fired. Police returned fire and the suspect was fatally wounded."
Magwaza confirmed that the suspect was wanted in connection with multiple serious and violent crimes, including murder and attempted murder committed in Sawoti. He was also linked to a case in Mbumbulu where four people were killed. Furthermore, the suspect was allegedly involved in a cash-in-transit robbery that occurred in Umlazi on Friday, 5 December 2025.
Two pistols were recovered at the scene, one found in the deceased's possession and the other inside the minibus taxi, according to Magwaza.
In a separate incident on Monday afternoon, three suspects wanted for murder and robbery cases in the areas of Mtubatuba, Mbazwana, and Emanguzi were shot dead in a shoot-out with police at Mbazwana. KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the matter, stating that two firearms and a toy gun were found in the suspects' possession. Police are currently searching for two more suspects who escaped arrest.
These incidents follow a similar event just days prior, when another suspected inkabi (hitman) was killed in a gun battle with police in Mondlo, KZN, on Tuesday night, 9 December. The 37-year-old man was wanted for at least four murders, an attempted murder, and drug dealing.
Colonel Netshiunda confirmed that the suspect, also wanted for a series of serious violent crimes, including murder and attempted murder, was shot and fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police at Mondlo on Tuesday night.
"Police received intelligence regarding the suspect’s whereabouts and proceeded to a residence on Duma Street," Netshiunda said.
"When police announced their presence, the suspect responded with gunfire towards police officers from inside the house and police retaliated," he added. "When the gun battle ceased, the suspect was found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. He was found in possession of a firearm, and no police officer was injured during the shootout."
Provincial SAPS Crime Intelligence had been tracing the suspect, and upon arrival at his hideout late on Tuesday, he allegedly responded with gunfire but died in the shoot-out. None of the cops were injured during the shoot-out.
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