More details emerge of PMB gun battle, as Cele reveals identity of mastermind behind prison escape
One of seven suspects, killed in a shootout with police in Scottsville, was facing charges of robbery and rape.
Police say 35-year-old Sphelele Ntsuntsu Mkhize had also masterminded the prisoner escape in Pietermaritzburg over a month ago.
Seven suspects were shot dead at a home on Tuesday, after police followed up on information on a spike in crimes such as murders, rapes and robberies in and around the area.
READ: Suspected Scottsville gang were on police radar for murder, rape: Cele
Police Minister Bheki Cele, who addressed the media in Durban on Wednesday, confirmed that Mkhize was one of 31 awaiting trial prisoners who escaped from a police truck, taking them to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court.
"So, you could see that there were people that were running terror.
READ: KZN sees ‘significant’ drop in political killings: Cele
"Almost every room - we guess those would of have been stolen - had very expensive liquor."
