A suspect linked to multiple murder cases, including the killing of a police officer at Eziko Tavern in Mqanduli, has been fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with police.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 17 October 2026, during an intelligence-driven follow-up operation conducted by members of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Tactical Response Team (TRT).
According to police, members were pursuing a suspect wanted in connection with a murder case when they spotted him driving a white Toyota single-cab bakkie in Mbulawa Location, Mqanduli, at about 14:30.
The suspect allegedly refused to stop when police attempted to pull him over, triggering a high-speed chase along the R411 towards Coffee Bay.
The vehicle eventually slowed down in Mbulawa. Police said the suspect pointed a firearm directly at their vehicle as officers approached, prompting members to return fire after perceiving an immediate threat to their lives.
The suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. No police officers were injured during the shooting.
An unlicensed AK-47 assault rifle with a filed-off serial number was recovered at the scene, while the suspect’s vehicle was impounded for further investigation.
Preliminary investigations have linked the deceased to several serious cases, including a murder in Thafalehashe.
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