Cape Town – Two suspects were shot dead during a police operation in the Uvongo area of Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Monday, 5 January 2026, after officers came under fire while investigating intelligence on illegal firearms.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said officers were acting on intelligence indicating the presence of unlicensed firearms at a property when they moved in on the house.
“Police officers approached the targeted house and announced their presence, but there was no response from inside,” he told reporters. “The members penetrated the house, and upon entering, the two occupants inside the house fired shots at the police.”
#sapsKZN In the early hours of this morning, 05 January 2026 Two suspects were fatally wounded when they engaged police in a shootout in the Policing area of Margate in the Uvongo area and five unlicensed firearms including two AK47 assault rifles were recovered. No police… pic.twitter.com/nIqsn25DM5
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 5, 2026
According to Ndlovu, the suspects immediately opened fire as officers entered the house, prompting police to return fire. “Police returned fire, and two suspects were fatally wounded,” he said, adding that no police officers were injured during the exchange.
Police confirmed that five unlicensed firearms were recovered at the scene, including two AK-47 assault rifles and three pistols, highlighting ongoing concerns over the proliferation of illegal weapons in the province.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing as part of broader police operations aimed at dismantling illegal firearm networks and strengthening public safety across KwaZulu-Natal.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
