Several dead and arrested during shoot-out in Zimbali Estate

A planned police sting operation resulted in the death of several suspects and arrests of others in a massive shoot-out at the Zimbali Estate, near Ballito, on Wednesday afternoon.

More than 1 000 rounds of spent ammunition were found at the scene.

Members of the SAPS National Intervention Unit and Crime Intelligence Unit, stormed the prestigious estate at around 3pm to arrest a resident who has been renting there.

The suspect was being tracked for a while as part of an on-going investigation.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police came under fire during the operation at the estate.

“Six firearms and over one thousand rounds of ammunition were found at the scene of the crime where two suspects were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police.

“Police officers from the KwaZulu-Natal stability unit mobilised intelligence regarding the whereabouts of suspects who were alleged to have been linked with the killing of five people at a parking lot in Richards Bay CBD on Tuesday morning, “said Colonel Netshiunda.

He said the police came under fire when they penetrated the residence.

“Police retaliated and at the end of the shoot-out, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds.”

He said The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) were called to the scene.

Zimbali Estate CEO Francois Schoeman said in a statement that residents had been informed about the incident shortly after it occurred.

“We assisted the police but the details of the operation were kept separate and handled by specialised units. We are not in possession of all the details about the case, but we find solace in knowing that our estate has been cleared of these criminal elements,” he said.

“The safety and security of our community remain paramount, and we appreciate the dedicated efforts of law enforcement in ensuring our well-being and the special arrangements that have been made to ensure the safety of other residents in the vicinity,” he said.

Colonel Netshiunda said police investigations into the matter were continuing and a search for more possible suspects was on-going.

He said investigations into the Richard’s Bay shooting that occurred on Tuesday morning were continuing.

“Information at police's disposal indicates that four of the suspects alighted from a vehicle and opened fired at the victims. Four victims were certified dead at the scene whilst the fifth one succumbed to gunshot injuries at a local clinic. The suspects reportedly fled from the scene of crime in a Blue VW Polo. The motive of the shooting has not been established, although drug-related turf war could not be ruled out,” said Colonel Netshiunda.