Eight alleged ATM bombers killed in shootout with KZN police
Eight armed suspects have been gunned down after a shootout with the Hawks and police near Howick, in the KZN Midlands.
One man was hurt in the gun battle on Saturday night, and remains in hospital under police guard.
Durban Hawks tried to stop the suspects' convoy on the R617 - as part of a joint operation with the SAPS Special task Force, Crime Intelligence, and the Durban K9 Unit.
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However, the suspects allegedly ignored the officers' warnings to stop and opened fire, resulting in a shootout and high-speed chase.
Hawks Spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi, says the suspects had been wanted in connection with a police murder, armed robberies and ATM bombings.
"The investigations are still continuing. We are still trying to profile the suspects. There are firearms, rifles, and 9mm pistols that we also confiscated which will also be taken for ballistics testing. We are of the view that this group was on its way to Howick to blast ATMs - that is why we had to do what we had to do in terms of making sure that we protect innocent people who will be in that area during that time," he said.