In the early hours of Wednesday, a violent encounter between law enforcement officers and a group of suspected criminals at Desai in Mariannhill resulted in the death of nine suspects.
The operation was conducted by members of the KZN Provincial Stabilisation Team, who were acting on specific information regarding the suspects’ location.
Mariannhill police gun down nine suspects
The confrontation ensued when police, acting on credible intelligence, located a group of 11 suspects believed to have been causing significant unrest in the Mariannhill area and its surroundings.
According to KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, this group had made the region unsafe for local residents.
The operation’s objective was to apprehend these individuals, who were not only accused of terrorising the community but were also implicated in a series of grave and violent offences.
What were the suspects wanted for?
The group targeted by the police was allegedly involved in various serious crimes, including a distressing incident where a young girl was gang-raped during a house robbery—an atrocity her mother was forced to witness.
Their criminal activities extended beyond this heinous act, as they were also under investigation for other violent crimes in the area.
Intelligence reports suggested that they were planning further violent acts, including a hit on an unspecified individual.
What happens when SAPS kill a suspected criminal in a shootout?
Following the fatal shooting of the suspects, no injuries among police officers were reported.
The law enforcement’s response, which resulted in the neutralisation of the threat, was initiated after the suspects reportedly opened fire on the officers.
In the aftermath, authorities recovered three firearms from the scene and continued their search for additional evidence.
A manhunt for the two remaining suspects, who evaded the operation, is currently in progress.
SAPS adheres to strict protocols during such operations, prioritising the safety of officers and civilians alike.
Incidents resulting in fatalities are subject to thorough investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to ensure that all actions taken were in accordance with the law and established procedures for engaging armed suspects.