A 30-year-old man was shot and killed during a gun battle with police on Saturday, 2 August 2025, in the Canzibe Administrative Area near Ngqeleni.
Members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) were acting on intelligence linking the suspect to a local extortion ring. At around 14:00, officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the suspect. He allegedly stopped the car and immediately opened fire on the police.
Officers returned fire in self-defence, fatally wounding the suspect. A 9mm pistol and ammunition were recovered from the scene.
At the time of the incident, the suspect was travelling with another man, who has since been taken in for questioning. No police officers were injured.
All relevant authorities attended the scene, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will conduct an investigation into the incident, as required by standard procedures.
Unlock Exclusive Content!
Subscribe to the Pondoland Times weekly newsletter for trusted alerts on SASSA payments, NSFAS funding, and breaking local news. Get exclusive interviews, community features, and verified stories you can rely on—delivered straight to your inbox.
