KZN Police Shoot and Kill Four Alleged ‘Izinkabi’ Taxi Hitmen, Law Enforcement Whip Encourages SA

• Police efforts to crack the whip on rampant crime in KZN resulted in four suspected Izinkabi being shot and killed
• Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement tracked down four suspects in a vehicle while travelling on the N3 highway
• A gunfight ensued during a high-speed vehicle pursuit between the suspects and police on the R103 road Estcourt

TUGELA — Suspected Izinkabi (hitmen) have been vanquished after KwaZulu-Natal police shot and killed four wanted suspects in Mooi River.

The quartet was sought in connection with taxi-related killings in and around the province. On Monday, 4 November 2024, law enforcement tracked the group down on the N3 highway, leading to a high-speed pursuit.

Cops shoot and kill four alleged Izinkabi

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said law enforcement acted on a tip-off about the suspects' whereabouts.

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"Police intercepted their vehicle and signalled for them to stop. However, the driver sped away, taking the Hidcote turn-off and joined the R103 road towards Estcourt," said Netshiunda.

"The suspects fired at the police during the pursuit. The officers returned fire, fatally wounding them. Two firearms, a rifle and pistol, and ammunition were recovered."

One of the alleged perpetrators was a most wanted suspect.

Police sought the 40-year-old man for the murders of a taxi association chairman and his deputy, gunned down in Bergville in February and June 2024.

"He was also wanted for the killing of a taxi owner at Bergville taxi rank. A stray bullet struck a commuter in the shooting," said Netshiunda.

In the same month, in June 2024, a Winterton taxi owner was fired at but survived the shooting. An attempted murder docket was opened.

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The recovered firearms will undergo ballistics testing to determine a link to other violent crimes.

"No officers were injured in the shootout, although numerous bullets riddled a police vehicle," added Netshiunda.

Online users, who flooded the timeline with enthusiastic commentary, lauded the police tactics following the latest police shootout.

Briefly News looks at the reactions.

@Phiwe_Fuze wrote:

"General Mkhanazi is truly making a significant impact in cleaning up this country single-handedly, and it's commendable to see police officers in KZN responding promptly to his leadership. Kudos to our dedicated police officers. May this commendable effort continue."

@SKOSANACS said:

"Good news for South Africans, and South Africa."

@lwamangwanya added:

"Well done, officers. Thank you for keeping us safe. Give us more reports like these. Courts and arrests are a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned money. It should go towards uplifting poor communities rather than feeding criminals in jail."

@Marupin82983629 noted:

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"Keep it up; doing great work. And make South Africa safer again."

@Born_of_Afrika chirped:

"Ntate Mkhwanazi, re morata kaofela."

Murder and robbery suspect killed

In related news, Briefly News reported that another suspect was killed in a police shootout following a confrontation near Chatsworth.

Police had earlier arrested one suspect for torture and double murder after a high-speed chase on the N2 southbound near the KwaMashu off-ramp.

Source: Briefly News