INANDA, KwaZulu-Natal – Two alleged murder suspects were fatally shot by police during a fierce shootout in Inanda on Monday afternoon, marking another chapter in the area’s ongoing battle against violent crime.
The incident unfolded around 2 PM near Ngcolosi Drive, where members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Flying Squad were tracking the suspects linked to a brutal double homicide last week. According to police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala, the suspects, aged 28 and 32, were wanted for the stabbing deaths of two men in a tavern brawl that shocked the community.
“A tip-off led officers to a hideout in the densely populated Inanda Glen,” Gwala said. “As police approached, the suspects opened fire without warning, sparking a gun battle that lasted several minutes.”
No officers were injured, but both suspects succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. A search of the property yielded two firearms – a 9mm pistol and a revolver – along with ammunition and items believed to be stolen from the murder victims.
Inanda, notorious for its high crime rates, has seen a surge in gang-related killings this year, with over 150 murders reported in the eThekwini district alone since January. Community leaders welcomed the operation but urged sustained policing efforts.
“We applaud the SAPS for their bravery, but our streets need more than reactions – we need prevention,” said local pastor Themba Nkosi, whose church runs youth anti-gang programs.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched a standard inquiry into the shooting. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday.
KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi praised the squad’s swift action, vowing zero tolerance for criminals who “turn our townships into war zones.”
Residents are urged to report suspicious activities via the Crime Stop hotline: 08600 10111.