Five most-wanted criminals which linked with cases of murder, attempted murder and house robberies were neutralised during shootout with police at Bester in Inanda on Thursday.
The South African Police Service(SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that five suspects who were wanted in connection with cases of murder, attempted murder, including attempted murder on police officers and house robberies were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Bester Area 10 in Inanda in the early hours of Thursday morning, 08 January 2026.
Netshiunda mentioned that on Thursday morning police officers rushed to Inanda with an intention to arrest suspects which had been on the run since last year, unfortunately those suspects were killed during exchange of fire with police.
"The suspects have been wreaking havoc in the area of Inanda and surrounding areas. At the end of November 2025, the suspects attempted to kill police officers by shooting at them and they have been elusive ever since. On Thursday morning police received information about their whereabouts and intelligence was operationalised.
“When police arrived at the scene, the suspects fired shots towards police officers through the door. To protect themselves and those in the vicinity of the house, police returned fire and during the shootout five suspects were shot and fatally wounded. Four firearms were recovered and a thorough search of the house was yet to be conducted,” said Netshiunda.
He clarified that no police officer was injured during the shootout.