5 Suspects Killed by SAPS in Cato Crest Shoot-Out After KZN Crime Spree

5 Suspects Killed by SAPS in Cato Crest Shoot-Out After KZN Crime Spree

  • Five suspects were killed in Cato Crest, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, in a shoot-out with police
  • The suspects were known to police as they were connected to recent murders, thefts and a highjacking in the area
  • An AK47 gun, three handguns and drugs were found in the fatally wounded's possession

DURBANβ€” On Tuesday, 30 July 2024, various South African Police Service (SAPS) units cornered suspects in a double-storey flat on Standard Road in Cato Crest, Durban. A gunbattle ensued, claiming the lives of the five suspected criminals.

South African Police Services provide images of the scene from the fatal shootout in Cato Crest, Durban.
Criminals opened fire from an open window of the second floor of a rented house in Cato Crest. Image: @SAPoliceService
Source: Facebook

A spokesperson for the SAPS, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, told IOL:

β€œWhen police announced their presence, the suspects opened fire at the law enforcement officers through the windows,”

After the gunshots had stopped and SAPS could enter the house, they confirmed that five men had been killed due to fatal gunshot wounds.

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The suspects were linked to four counts of murder, 13 cases of robbery and a carjacking in Cato Manor and Durban central areas.

No police officer was injured during the shoot-out.

South Africans react to KZN shoot-out as they start their day

@mxeli.tiisetso praised how SAPS handled things:

"KZN SAPS clean-up operation is so efficient. This is the kind of thing we like to hear."

@brad.bennetts has this inside take on things:

"KwaZulu-Natal has always been known as the province where police don't take 'kak' from armed suspects since I joined SAP in 1993. Keep it up members, take no prisoners. KwaZulu-Natal has the best man in charge, "General Lucky" πŸ‘Š An operator of note!"

@mohau.maretele.9 responded to the surge of crime cleanups in the province lately:

"I don't know what is happening in KZN but whatever it is, I'm loooving it!"

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@sharron.willson showed her appreciation to the police:

"This is the kind of result law-abiding citizens love to read about. A huge thank you to everyone involved and so pleased to read that none of you were injured. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘"

Eastern Cape shoot-out: 5 killed

Briefly News reported a similar case where law enforcement in the Eastern Cape fatally shot five suspected cash-in-transit robbers in the Kom location.

Officers, including members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also arrested three suspects who attempted to escape. The eight suspects were believed to be part of a group of 20 individuals who attacked an armoured truck on the N6 near East London.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Timothy Oates avatar

Timothy Oates (CA HoD) Timothy Oates is Briefly News' Current Affairs Head of Department. He joined the Legit group in 2022. Timothy holds an Honours degree in Sports Management from the Tshwane University of Technology, awarded in 2008, and has completed courses in Project and Stakeholder Management at Stellenbosch and Pretoria Universities, respectively. He has over 15 years of experience in South African government, inter-governmental relations and has worked in online and broadcast media. E-mail: timothy.oates@briefly.co.za