Three suspected kidnappers killed in Mariannhill shootout after crash

Early-morning shootout in Mariannhill leaves three suspects dead

Three suspected kidnappers were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Mariannhill, Durban, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police tracked suspects after receiving intelligence

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers had tracked the suspects to Milky Way Road after receiving intelligence about their location. The men were wanted in connection with a kidnapping and fraud case in Greenwood Park and were also suspected of being in illegal possession of firearms.

Chase, shootout and crash

According to Netshiunda, police spotted the suspects driving along Milky Way Road and attempted to stop their vehicle. The suspects defied police instructions and sped off, prompting a chase. During the operation, a shootout ensued and the suspects’ vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree.

Aftermath and evidence recovered

Three suspects were shot and fatally wounded during the shootout, Netshiunda said, and no police officer was injured. Officers found two firearms and several rounds of ammunition in the vehicle. He said the case was linked to an ongoing investigation into the Greenwood Park kidnapping and fraud matter.

Investigation under way

Police have tied the incident to the ongoing Greenwood Park investigation. Further procedural steps and inquiries were not detailed in the statement from the KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson.