Five Wanted Suspects Shot Dead In Explosive Police Shootout In KZN

Five suspects wanted in connection with multiple violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder of police officers and house robberies, were fatally wounded during a shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal.

The dramatic gun battle unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning in Inanda, north of Durban.

Deadly Police Shootout Erupts in Inanda

The confrontation took place at Bester Area 10 in Inanda on Thursday, 8 January 2026.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers moved in after receiving intelligence about the suspects’ whereabouts.

Netshiunda said when police arrived at the house, the suspects opened fire through the door.

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“To protect themselves and those in the vicinity of the house, police returned fire, and during the shootout five suspects were fatally wounded. Four firearms were recovered.”

He confirmed that no police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

Suspects Linked to Violent Crime Spree

Netshiunda said the suspects had been terrorising Inanda and surrounding areas for months.

“At the end of November 2025, the suspects attempted to kill police officers by shooting at them, and they have been elusive since. On Thursday morning, police received information about their whereabouts, and the intelligence was operationalised.”

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The men were wanted in connection with several serious cases, including murder, attempted murder — including attacks on police officers — and house robberies.

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 in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/5X9qtzaysl

— Faizel Patel (@FaizelPatel121) January 8, 2026

Third Deadly Police Confrontation This Week

The shootout marks the third deadly confrontation between police and alleged criminal in KwaZulu-Natal this week.

On Wednesday, 7 January 2026, two men wanted in connection with the shooting of four people in Ezimangweni, Inanda, were killed during a separate shootout with police.

That incident followed a deadly attack on Tuesday night in which four people were shot, leaving two dead and one injured.

Netshiunda said police had earlier arrested five suspects linked to the Ezimangweni murders, who were found in possession of one firearm and a replica gun.

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