KZN Police Engaged In Deadly Shootout: Suspect Killed, Another Captured Amid Witchcraft Allegations
- One suspect lost his life in a gunfight with KZN police, and another was taken into custody in connection with alleged witchcraft-related murders.
- The suspects are accused of attacking and killing the father and stepmother of one of the suspects in Ophondweni just a day earlier.
- The detained suspect is set to face charges in court soon, while law enforcement continues the hunt for additional individuals involved, with more arrests anticipated.
DURBAN — In a dramatic turn of events, another suspect met his end during a fierce shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal near Chatsworth on Thursday. The confrontation has cast a spotlight on a deeply disturbing case involving alleged witchcraft-related murders.
Prior to the deadly encounter, police had successfully apprehended one suspect following a high-speed chase on the N2 highway, heading southbound near the KwaMashu off-ramp. The individual was charged with torture and the brutal murder of two people.
Deadly Showdown with Police
This initial arrest led investigators to uncover a second suspect believed to be implicated in the same heinous crimes. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda revealed that the second suspect was located in an informal settlement in Welbedacht.
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"When the officers approached, the suspect immediately opened fire. The situation escalated into a shootout, and the officers were forced to return fire, ultimately killing the suspect," explained Netshiunda.
According to Colonel Netshiunda, the two men had traveled to the Ophondweni area in Ingwavuma on the evening of Wednesday, September 11. There, they allegedly committed the brutal torture and murder of the arrested suspect's father and stepmother.
Netshiunda went on to describe the suspects as alleged izinkabi, or murder-for-hire hitmen, with a history of violent crimes. "These individuals have been linked to numerous murders, as well as armed and cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies across various parts of KZN," he added.
"The motive behind the killing of the parents is tied to a traditional healer, or inyanga, who identified the suspects as the root cause of the son’s misfortunes. The healer claimed that the father, also a traditional doctor, had cast a spell on his own son, leading to this tragic chain of events," explained Netshiunda.
Further Legal Action and Investigation
The suspect currently in custody is expected to make an appearance in court in the near future. Meanwhile, law enforcement remains vigilant in their pursuit of additional suspects, with indications that more arrests are on the horizon.
This case highlights the complex interplay between traditional beliefs and modern law enforcement challenges in South Africa. As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for dialogue and understanding between communities and the justice system.
