KwaZulu-Natal Police Take Down Notorious Gang Leader In Dramatic Shootout
- Authorities neutralize a dangerous criminal in Verulam after an intense gun battle.
- Law enforcement acted on intelligence about a high-profile suspect heading to Umhlanga to commit a crime.
- A gang leader and two accomplices exchanged fire with police, leading to the deaths of two criminals.
VERULAM — The streets of KwaZulu-Natal just got safer. A feared gangster, linked to a string of brutal murders, has been taken out in a dramatic police shootout. This marks a significant victory for law enforcement as they continue their relentless pursuit of justice.
The operation unfolded in Cottonlands, an area of Verulam, where police intercepted a 22-year-old leader of the notorious Inanda West Gang. Known for his violent exploits, this gangster had long been a menace to the community. Alongside an accomplice, he found himself at the center of a deadly confrontation with law enforcement. Let me tell you, this wasn’t just another day at the office for these officers—they were dealing with some seriously dangerous individuals.
How It All Went Down: The Gun Battle in Verulam
It all started when intelligence surfaced about the gang leader and two other members traveling to Umhlanga on January 30, 2025. According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the intel suggested they were planning to pick up drugs and ammunition.
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“We observed them swapping cars before heading out of Umhlanga. Once they parked their vehicle along Vincent Dickinson Road in Cottonlands, we moved in,” explained Colonel Netshiunda.
What happened next was nothing short of intense. When the police approached, the suspects opened fire. The officers, trained professionals, didn’t hesitate to return fire. In the ensuing chaos, the gang leader and a 27-year-old accomplice were fatally wounded. Two down, one to go.
One Suspect Still on the Run
Despite their best efforts, the third suspect managed to slip away from the scene. Authorities are now actively searching for this individual, who remains a threat to public safety. Meanwhile, investigators have uncovered that the gang leader, whose name hasn’t been released, had a warrant out for his arrest on a murder charge. But here’s the kicker—he’s believed to have been involved in over 20 cases, including at least 10 murders.
His rap sheet didn’t stop there. This guy was also linked to attempted murder, robberies, intimidation, and arson. When police conducted a preliminary search of the vehicle, they recovered a firearm from the gang leader’s possession. While his identity remains unknown, he joins a growing list of notorious figures removed from the streets, though not all by police action.
A Familiar Story: Criminals Falling One by One
Just last November, Briefly News reported on another high-profile takedown. George criminal underworld kingpin Mark Lifman was shot dead in the parking lot of the Garden Route Mall on November 3, 2024. Lifman, who was set to appear in the Western Cape High Court the following day, faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, money laundering, and gang-related offenses.
KZN Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi praised the police for their relentless efforts in tracking down this dangerous suspect. He acknowledged the ideal scenario would have been bringing the gang leader to justice alive, allowing him to face his charges in court and provide closure to his victims and their families.
“Unfortunately, he chose to attack our officers, forcing them to act in self-defense. It’s a tragic outcome, but one that reflects the dangerous nature of these criminals,” said Mkhwanazi.
West Gang Member Falls in Separate Incident
In related news, Briefly News also reported on a separate incident involving the West Gang. On January 31, 2024, police engaged in a shootout with three gang members in La Mercy. All three were killed during the confrontation. These individuals were believed to be behind over 50 murders and a string of robberies in Inanda during 2023. They were also suspected of killing a police officer, a community policing forum (CPF) member, and a neighborhood watch patroller.
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This latest operation in Verulam sends a strong message to criminals across the province: the police are coming for you, and they won’t stop until the streets are safe again. For now, the people of KwaZulu-Natal can breathe a little easier knowing that one less dangerous gang leader is out there wreaking havoc.
