KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, commended the multi-disciplinary team of police who tracked down a suspected police killer at Clermont informal settlement in Durban.
The suspect, who was wanted for the killing of an off-duty police officer over the weekend, died during a shootout with the police officers in Clermont on the afternoon of Monday March 11.
KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said the police officer from Durban Central SAPS and his colleague from KwaDabeka SAPS who were off duty, had been visiting a private residence in Clermont in the early hours of Sunday when they were attacked in their vehicle.
“The deceased constable, 34, who was the driver, was killed before he was robbed of his firearm. While his colleague, 35, who was also robbed of his firearm, was left unharmed. The two suspects fled the scene with both police officer’s firearms, as well as a wallet and cellphone,” Brigadier Naicker said.
Following an around the clock investigation that began after the shooting, police received information that one of the killers was at an informal settlement in Clermont, said Brigadier Naicker.
“As police officers approached the suspect’s residence, they were met with gunfire. The suspect who is in his thirties, sustained fatal injuries following the shootout. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect’s possession. Investigations are ongoing to trace his accomplice. Detectives are also working on information that the deceased suspect is linked to a string of murders, robberies and carjackings.”
The Provincial Commissioner has thanked the team who left no stone unturned in finding the suspect responsible for the police officers death.
“After the police heard that their colleague was killed they set out to find the suspects. They came under fire from the same person who killed their colleague. I commend them for their bravery,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
