Durban – National Police have confirmed the Hawks have taken over the investigations into two KwaZulu-Natalshooting incidents in which a civillian and two police officers were killed.
Police say in the first incident, a Warrant Officer was killed in Amanzimtoti on the N2 highway.
Police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili says Warrant Officer Nhlanhla Hadebe was shot at from a passing Audi A3.
“He managed to get out of the vehicle but in the process he was also shot at. His body was found lying on the road. His bullet-riddled vehicle was found on the side of the road. At this stage, we cannot speculate on what the shooting was about,” Muridili said.
Later that evening, a constable and a bystander were killed in a shootout in Kranskop.
Muridili says the bystander was hit by a stray bullet.
“He managed to shoot two of the suspects but their accomplices managed to drag them into their vehicle and they fled the scene,” Muridili said.
Muridili says the two suspects were found dead the next day.
“He was at a Tshisanyama outlet and he spotted a suspicious vehicle that was going up and down the street. As soon as he walked out of the gate – he was shot at. He managed to pull out his firearm to retaliate. Two of the suspects got out of their vehicle and continued shooting at him.”
She says an off-duty police officer, Thandoluhle Mhlongo responded to the sound of gunfire.