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AK-47s Seized After Deadly Police Shootout in KwaZulu-Natal
A violent dawn in Uvongo
Residents in parts of KwaZulu-Natal woke to the sound of gunfire this week after a tense police operation ended in bloodshed. In the early hours of Monday morning, 5 January 2026, two suspects were shot dead during a fierce shootout with police in the Margate policing area, specifically in Uvongo.
According to police, officers were acting on intelligence linked to unlicensed firearms believed to be inside a residential property. What was meant to be a targeted intervention quickly escalated into a full-scale gun battle.
How the shootout unfolded
Police say officers approached the house and announced their presence. When there was no response, members moved inside. That was when shots were fired from within the house, forcing police to return fire.
When the shooting stopped, two suspects were fatally wounded. Officers recovered two AK-47 assault rifles along with three pistols from the scene. No police officers were injured during the exchange.
For many South Africans, the recovery of military-style weapons is a chilling reminder of how heavily armed criminal networks have become, particularly in parts of KwaZulu-Natal that have seen repeated incidents involving high-calibre firearms.
Why this incident hits a nerve locally
KwaZulu-Natal has spent years grappling with violent crime linked to illegal firearms, organised gangs, and armed robberies. Shootouts involving AK-47s have become disturbingly familiar in provincial crime reports, especially during intelligence-driven raids.
On social media, reactions ranged from relief that the weapons were taken off the streets to concern about how easily such firearms circulate in residential areas. Many locals praised police for acting on intelligence, while others questioned how communities continue to be exposed to such extreme violence.
A grim New Year backdrop
The shootout comes against the backdrop of an already deadly start to the year in KZN. On New Year’s Eve, four members of the same family were killed during a violent house robbery in the Port Shepstone area.
In that incident, suspects allegedly forced their way into a rondavel, demanded money, and opened fire when told there was none. A man was killed at the scene before the attackers moved to the main house, where a mother and her two daughters were shot and killed. The suspects fled with cellphones and remain at large, with police launching a manhunt.
A sobering reality for communities
Taken together, these incidents highlight the harsh reality many families face across the province. Intelligence-led policing continues to play a critical role in intercepting illegal weapons, but the scale of violence shows how deeply entrenched the problem remains.
For communities in Margate, Uvongo, and beyond, the hope is that removing assault rifles from circulation can prevent future bloodshed. For now, the echoes of gunfire serve as another reminder that the fight against violent crime in KZN is far from over.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: SABC News
