KZN Police Engaged In Deadly Shootouts: Two Suspects Dead

Holifil

02 Apr, 2025

On Wednesday, police in KwaZulu-Natal were involved in two separate shootouts, resulting in the deaths of two wanted suspects.
In Inanda, one suspect was killed after opening fire on police, while another suspect met the same fate in Umlazi under similar circumstances.
An innocent bystander, an 11-year-old girl, suffered minor injuries during the chaos in Umlazi and was promptly taken to the hospital.

Two separate shootouts in Inanda and Umlazi left two suspects dead. Police were forced to respond with deadly force. Images: @DasenThathiahSource: Twitter

INANDA — It was a tense day in KwaZulu-Natal as police engaged in two separate gun battles that left two suspects dead. The first confrontation happened in Inanda, where officers were forced to neutralize a suspect wanted for attempting to murder cops. In Umlazi, another suspect, allegedly responsible for the murder of a Durban Metro Police officer, met the same fate. This dramatic chain of events unfolded on Wednesday, leaving the community shaken but hopefully safer.

The situation in Inanda began when police initiated a routine stop-and-search operation. Things escalated quickly when the suspect, who had a history of violence against law enforcement, opened fire on several officers. Despite being pursued, the suspect continued to resist arrest, forcing the police to take drastic action.

Deadly Confrontations in KZN: What Happened?

This wasn’t the first time the suspect in Inanda had crossed paths with the police. Five days earlier, on September 14, he had already made headlines by shooting at a roadblock along the M25 Road, injuring a constable before fleeing the scene. Authorities had been working tirelessly to track him down ever since.

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"Police gathered critical intelligence on his whereabouts," explained KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda. "When officers arrived at a house in the Ohlange area of Inanda and announced their presence, the suspect once again opened fire, sparking a deadly shootout."

"Three officers suffered minor injuries during the confrontation, but they managed to neutralize the threat. Upon searching the suspect’s body, police recovered a firearm that was later confirmed to belong to a Metro Police officer and had been reported stolen earlier this month in Inanda," Netshiunda added.

Meanwhile, in Umlazi, another deadly shootout unfolded. This time, police were hunting for a suspect connected to the murder of a Durban Metro Police officer. The officer was killed back in July during a heroic attempt to stop a truck hijacking on the M7 in Pinetown. Officers from the Durban Metro Police Special Operations Directorate traced the suspect to Q-Section, where they hoped to make an arrest.

But the suspect wasn’t about to go quietly. As officers approached, he opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest. In the ensuing gun battle, the suspect sustained fatal injuries, effectively ending his reign of terror. However, the situation wasn’t without collateral damage. An 11-year-old girl nearby suffered a minor injury when the suspect fired his weapon, and she was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Thankfully, her injuries were not life-threatening.

Officer’s Bullet-Proof Vest Saves Life

In the chaos of the shootout, one officer was struck in the chest by a bullet. Thankfully, his bullet-resistant vest saved his life, and he only sustained minor injuries. He was also taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The swift action of the officers on the scene ensured that no other innocent lives were lost.

Off-Duty Cop Saves the Day in Johannesburg

While the events in KwaZulu-Natal dominated headlines, another dramatic incident unfolded in Johannesburg. According to Briefly News, an off-duty police officer found himself in the middle of a robbery at a hair salon in the Johannesburg CBD. On September 14, a group of armed men stormed the salon, holding workers and patrons hostage.

The off-duty officer, who happened to be inside the salon at the time, sprang into action. In a heroic act of bravery, he managed to shoot and kill one of the suspects while wounding another. His quick thinking and courage likely prevented a much more tragic outcome. The incident highlights the bravery of law enforcement officers, even when they’re not on duty.