Durban — Two AK47s and five pistols were among 11 firearms police recovered following a fatal shootout with a homeowner and security who met them with gunfire.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said that in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday), police officers from the National Intervention Unit acted on information about a man in possession of firearms in Empangeni.
Ngcobo said that the team proceeded to Farewell Street in Empangeni where all necessary measures were taken to gain access to the house but the owner refused them entrance.
“Police officers were met by a hail of bullets and there was a shootout. The homeowner, aged 45, and his security guard, aged 36, died at the scene.
“Police seized four rifles (including two AK47s), a shotgun, five pistols, a revolver and 397 rounds of ammunition,” Ngcobo said.
Ngcobo added that charges of attempted murder, inquest as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition were opened for investigation at Empangeni SAPS.
When Police Minister Bheki Cele released the crime statistics on Friday, he said that heightened police action such as disruptive operations, targeted stop and searches and Vehicle Control Points, between April and June 2022 have also meant more firearms and drugs were taken off the streets.
“Firearms are three times likely to be the weapon of choice in all the reported murders, 2 766 people were shot to death. 912 of KwaZulu-Natal murders were as a result of firearms followed by the Gauteng,” Cele said.
Daily News