Two suspects arrested following Durban North shootout

DURBAN – Yesterday, police officers at Durban North were deployed to conduct operations in line with the Festive Season operational plan. Police officers from the Rapid Response Team were at Lagoon Drive in Umhlanga when they spotted two men sitting in between vehicles at the shopping centre.

When the suspects realised that police were observing them, they jumped into a vehicle and sped off. Police officers gave chase and there was an exchange of gunfire between police and the suspects. The suspects drove towards the end of Lagoon Drive where their vehicle stalled. They then fled into nearby bushes on foot followed closely by police officers.

Two suspects aged 19 and 24 were placed under arrest. Following a search of the vehicle, police seized car breaking implements, a two-way radio as well as ammunition. The suspect’s vehicle was also impounded by police for further investigation. The two suspects are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court tomorrow on charges of attempted murder, possession of ammunition as well as possession of car breaking implements.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula heaped praise on the Rapid Response Team for the arrest of the perpetrators. “The suspects will be profiled to establish if they are linked to other crimes reported in Durban North and surrounding areas. It is pleasing to see that our Festive Season deployments are seeing results as we are intercepting criminals even before they get an opportunity to commit a crime,” he said.