KZN killers cut down! – Five suspects slain in fiery police gunfight

Durban — Five suspects wanted for the murder of a couple and two police officers were fatally wounded in a shootout with South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in the Mophela area of Mpumalanga township, Hammersdale, on Sunday evening, according to Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson.

Acting on intelligence, police intercepted the suspects driving along Mophela Main Road.

When officers signaled for the vehicle to stop, the suspects opened fire, prompting police to return fire.

All five suspects were killed in the exchange. Three firearms were recovered from the suspects, with a thorough search of their vehicle still pending.

#sapsKZN Five suspects who were wanted for the murder of a man and his wife were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Mophela area in Mpumalanga township, Hammersdale on Sunday evening. Three firearms recovered. MLhttps://t.co/TIjMajKzZp pic.twitter.com/XBZIBczv8p

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 12, 2025

“The suspects were wanted for the murder of a 66-year-old man who was shot and killed at his home at Ekwandeni area on Saturday last week.

“The man had survived a hail of bullets in January and his wife was shot and killed at their home in February this year. The suspects are also linked to the murder of two police officers,” Netshiunda said.

He said that investigations are ongoing, with suspicions that the suspects may be tied to additional violent crimes in the region.

Further details are expected as police continue their inquiries.