LISTEN: Police reveal details of fatal Hilton shootout
Police have shared more details following the fatal shooting in Hilton - outside Pietermaritzburg this morning.
Listen to the full bulletin below.
SAPS says five suspected robbers were shot dead by officers who received intelligence driven information that the men were going to commit crimes in the area.
Spokesperson, Thulani Zwane says the occupants of the vehicle opened fire on police in Dennis Shepstone Drive before turning into Knoll Drive.
Zwane says five unlicensed firearms were recovered. He says the suspects' car is thought to have been hijacked in Durban's Newlands East area in August last year.
"It is alleged that they were about to commit robberies in the area. When police searched their vehicles - they were found in possession of house breaking implements such as a crow bar, balaclavas as well as gloves," he said.
Five inquest dockets have been opened as well as a case of attempted murder. Police watchdog IPID attended the scene and has taken over the investigation.