Ipid probing deadly Mariannhill shootout
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate says it's launched an investigation into this week's deadly shootout in Mariannhill, west of Durban.
Nine suspects were killed during a police operation on Wednesday morning.
The KZN SAPS says the gang opened fire on officers who retaliated.
Authorities say the suspects had been wanted for rape and other violent crimes.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping says there's been an increase in police shootouts where suspected criminals are killed.
READ: SAPS calls for community support to curb Mariannhill crime
"Our investigators are conducting their investigations independently and impartially to establish if the actions of the police where within parameters of the law.
"If they acted within the law Ipid will generate a positive report that will exonerate the police, but if they are found at the end of the investigation to have acted outside the parameters of the law Ipid will generate a negative report and make recommendations for disciplinary actions."
Speaking in Mariannhill on Thursday, Police Minister Bheki Cele responded to IPID's investigation.
"They have the right to deal with those things and it is their job to investigate. I would not pre-empt what Ipid is going to say. I do receive reports of Ipid most of the time."
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