Two suspects wanted for murder fatally wounded in shootout with KZN police in Empangeni

Two suspects wanted for murder were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with KwaZulu-Natal police in Empangeni on Monday, November 18, 2024.

According to reports, police were conducting routine patrols when they spotted a white bakkie parked in a sugarcane field near the Old Mtubatuba Road in Empangeni.

“When police approached the vehicle, two suspects started firing shots at the police and a shootout ensued. After the shootout, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Two firearms and several rounds of ammunition were found in their possession,” said KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

Netshiunda said a police investigation revealed that the vehicle—White Bakkie—that was in the possession of the suspects was stolen during a house robbery at KwaMsane on Friday, 15 November 2024. He also stated that the investigation uncovered that the two suspects had warrants of arrest issued against them in connection with cases of murder.

In a separate incident in Empangeni, police apprehended four suspects wanted for a series of house robberies in neighbouring areas such as KwaMsane, Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, Empangeni, Richards Bay, and Esikhaleni.

It is alleged that on Saturday, November 16, 2024, the suspects broke into a house in the Mazimazana area of Empangeni and forced the victims into one room at gunpoint. They then forced one victim to transfer an undisclosed amount of money from her business account to theirs.

During their arrest, the suspects were found in possession of three firearms and ammunition.

All four suspects, aged between 30 and 39, are expected to appear in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, on charges of house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.

Colonel Netshiunda mentioned that more charges could be brought against the suspects as the investigation progresses.