Two Joburg prison escapees shot dead in KZN
Two of the 16 awaiting trial prisoners who escaped from the Johannesburg Correctional Centre this week have been killed in a shootout with KwaZulu-Natal police.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo says authorities received information about two of the escapees.
He says the Durban Organised Crime Unit, the Durban K9 Unit and the provincial Tracing Unit conducted a joint operation last night, spotting the two escapees on the R33 near Greytown.
"Police tried to stop the suspects. The suspects stopped and fired shots towards the police. The police returned fire in self defence, fatally wounding the two suspects. One 9mm pistol, ammunition and a toy gun were found in the suspect's possession," he said.
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Correctional Services says the remaining 14 escapees are still at large and they are working around the clock to re-arrest them.
The suspects face charges that include house robbery, rape and murder.