Two suspects were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police officers at the Amatikwe area in Inanda.
This follows an incident during which four police officers came under fire while on patrol last Monday night, August 7.
SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the police officers had been on duty in a marked car, doing routine patrols along the Mafukuzela Highway, when they spotted a vehicle with no rear registration plate.
“Police officers instructed the vehicle to pull over but the driver defied police’s orders and drove off,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
“Police gave chase and before they knew it, the men of law found themselves under gunfire coming from the occupants of the vehicle. The police officers returned fire and the driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed.
“The driver and one passenger got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Upon inspection of the vehicle, three men were found inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds. Two of them were certified dead at the scene whereas the other was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds.
“A double-barrel shotgun and two pistols were found in possession of the suspects. A manhunt is under way for the two men who evaded arrest,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
He said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was summoned to the scene for further investigations.
Police are investigating four counts of attempted murder on police officers and inquest dockets have been opened after the two suspects were fatally wounded in the shootout.