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Four firearms were seized at the crime scene. Police found several traditional medicine items in the vehicle, as well as a two-way radio and other implements used by the gang to commit robberies. (Supplied: SAPS)
- Durban police shot and killed three heavily armed robbers.
- The men were “armed to the teeth,” police said.
- They also encountered traditional muthi who “made them believe they were invincible.”
Three heavily armed suspects, who police believe were part of a gang of robbers, were killed after a shooting in the Pinetown, Durban area on Tuesday.
Police confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
“These thugs were armed to the teeth and the fact that they wore traditional muthi with them made them believe they were invincible,” said KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thulani Gonya.
Police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said that officers from the K9 Provincial Unit were tracking intelligence on a white Ford Ranger that was suspected of being the vehicle used in a series of armed robberies in the Durban metropolitan area.
“At 7:00 p.m., they saw the vehicle in Pinetown and tried to stop it. The suspects tried to flee while shooting at the police officers. The police chased them and the suspects eventually lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a garage in Josiah. Gumede Road.
“Six suspects got out of the vehicle and started a shootout with police officers and officers from a security company who also responded. A police officer was injured when he received a blow to the arm and chest. He was taken to a local hospital. where it remains in a stable condition. “
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Naicker said that during the shooting, three suspects “were fatally injured, while a fourth was injured and taken to hospital.”
“Two suspects managed to flee the scene and the persecution continues. Four firearms were seized at the scene of the crime. The police found several articles of traditional medicine in the vehicle, as well as a two-way radio and other implements used by the police. gang to commit robberies. “
During the shooting, Tyron Powell, director of Marshall Security, was also shot. According to Marshall Security officials, Powell was rushed to Crompton Hospital, where he was stabilized and has since been transferred to another hospital for further treatment.
“The suspect armed with the rifle was shot at the scene. Three suspects fled in their vehicle. Members of our Special Operations Team and SAPS tracked down the suspects who then opened fire on them, and they responded, killing three others. suspects.
“Three pistols and an AR15 assault rifle were recovered at the scene. There are potentially more suspects pending,” security officials said in a statement.
Powell is currently in the hospital recovering from surgery as a result of the gunshot wound. He is in a stable condition.
Naicker said police in Pinetown are investigating cases of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and had also opened an investigation file.
“Detectives are convinced that this gang will be linked to several recent robberies in the Durban metropolitan area.”
Gonya wished the injured policeman a speedy recovery.
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