Suspected Cop Killer Gunned Down in KZN Shootout With SAPS

• The South African Police Service shot and killed a suspected cop killer in KwaZulu-Natal on the morning of 10 September
• The Hawks tracked the suspect after he allegedly murdered a police officer in a road-rage incident in which the officer's wife survived
• Netizens on social media weighed in on the incident, and some were shocked at the number of murders he was linked to

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

KWANGCOLOSI, KWAZULU-NATAL — The South African Police Service (SAPS) gunned down a man in KwaZulu-Natal on 10 September 2025 who was linked to over seven murders, including a police officer.

According to eNCA journalist Dasen Thathiah, the shootout happened in KwaNgcolosi. The Hawks' KwaZulu-Natal Tracking team tracked the suspect down after gathering intelligence on his whereabouts. The police located him on a narrow road and tried to intercept him. A shootout ensued after he opened fire at the police. He was fatally wounded on the scene. The police found two guns on him.

Crimes linked to the suspect

The suspect was linked to the murder of a police officer, Constable Mnqobi Shange. Shange was shot and killed during a road-rage incident in KwaNgcolosi. His wife was with him in the car but survived. The suspect was also linked to extortion-related crimes and over seven murders.

Cop killers shot

Four men were convicted of killing two North West police officers on 21 February 2025. The incident happened in 2021. The officers stopped the four men who were transporting 18 goats. When they could not provide a valid livestock transportation permit, the men attacked the officers and killed them.

The Eswatini Police teamed up with the Mpumalanga police to track down a group of suspects who allegedly killed a police officer. The police shot and killed three suspects who escaped into the neighbouring country.

What did South Africans say?

The suspect's alleged crimes sparked a flurry of comments on X.

BCPS said:

"A cop killer linked to 7+ murders and construction mafia extortion was eliminated by Hawks KZN. His widow can have some closure."

Mfundo said:

"Linked to more than 7 murders. Aowa! We're truly living amongst vile and violent creatures who have no interest in stopping!"

Adriaan said:

"We need Lt Gen Mkhwanazi in the Western Cape."

IThinkThereforeIAm said:

"He has bosses. They must be found."

Female JMPD officer gunned down

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a female Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer was killed outside of her home in Soweto, Johannesburg. The incident happened on 31 December 2025.

The officer, Khnesani Mabaso, was in uniform and was patrolling the area outside of her home when an unknown assailant approached her. The assailant shot her at point-blank range, and she died. The police are investigating a case of murder.

Source: Briefly News