Suspected hitmen killed in shootout with cops in Melmoth
Two alleged hitmen have been killed in a gun battle with police in Melmoth, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Its reported when officers approached a homestead in the KwaYanguye area on Tuesday afternoon, two armed men emerged from a rondavel and opened fire towards police.
The two suspects, believed to be in their thirties, had been linked to the murder of a family of five in the Dumaneni area in Ulundi a week ago.
KZN police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala says there were three gunmen when the crime was committed.
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"Police officers from the National Intervention Unit acted on information regarding the hitmen involved in the murders in Ulundi. The two suspects died at the scene following a shootout with the police officers. The deceased are believed to be in their thirties.
"Police recovered a revolver and a rifle plus 24 rounds of ammunition from the deceased’s suspects. A search was conducted inside the rondavel and police found four cellphones and four rounds of shotgun ammunition.
"Further investigation and a search conducted at the crime scene resulted in police recovering a shotgun, homemade firearm, a pistol and parts of a revolver. The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing. The shooting incident was reported to IPID for investigation."
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