Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has praised KwaZulu-Natal police teams for their swift action against a gang of murder suspects in Inanda, north of Durban.
Three suspects were shot dead on Tuesday night.
KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said a multidisciplinary team comprising of members of the Provincial DPCI Tracking Team, DPCI Anti-Gang Unit, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Tactical Response Team, Pietermaritzburg K9 unit, Inanda Task Team as well as private security acted on intelligence about the whereabouts of the suspects who have been on police’s radar for some time, including the murder of a local cop.
Sergeant Yekani Thabete, who was a member of the KwaMashu Tracking Team, was killed in Inanda in June last year.
According to police, the 37-year-old’s attackers disarmed him and shot him with his own gun.
Netshiuanda said, they traced the gang to Nombonjani Mtshali Road, which was also wanted for murders committed earlier this year and in 2021.
Mchunu’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says the police have done an outstanding job.
“The minister further reiterated the importance of bringing all criminals to justice and also called for community cooperation.”
Meanwhile KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi reported significant police efforts to maintain peace, noting that from 1 April 2024 to date, 35 145 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including 11 192 for contact crimes lincluding murder, rape, and assault.
In addition, 953 firearms and large quantities of ammunition were recovered, along with 665 stolen vehicles and nearly two tonnes of drugs, including a dismantled drug lab and R8 million worth of cocaine.
Mkhwanazi also detailed the province’s challenges with cash-in-transit robberies, with 17 incidents reported and five foiled by the police, resulting in several arrests and shoot-outs.