Five suspects wanted for murder, robbery killed in Cato Crest gun battle
Police have shot and killed five suspects wanted for a string of murder and business robbery cases in KZN.
Several police units were on the hunt for the gang when they gathered intelligence pointing to a double-storey flat in Cato Crest as a possible hideout.
Officers say they had the suspects cornered at the Standard Road property on Tuesday evening.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says that when police announced their presence, they came under attack.
"The suspects opened fire towards the law enforcement officers through the windows. A shootout ensued and five suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. An AK47 assault rifle, three handguns and drugs were found in the possession of the suspects," says Netshiunda.
He says none of their officers were wounded.
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"The suspects had been positively linked with four counts of murder, 13 cases of business robbery and another case of carjacking which were committed in the Cato Manor and Durban Central policing precincts."
More than a dozen suspects wanted for violent crimes have been killed a series of gunfights with police in recent weeks in areas such as Inanda, Empangeni and Esikhaleni, in northern KZN.
