Three suspects were fatally shot in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, during an early-morning shootout with police on Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Msinga suspects shot first, KZN police claim
According to authorities, officers were following up on intelligence about illegal firearms when they approached a property in the Mbabane area.
Police say the suspects opened fire first, leading officers from the Pietermaritzburg POP unit and Umzinyathi District to retaliate. The shootout ended with three suspects dead, while police officers reportedly escaped unharmed.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that law enforcement recovered two AK-47 rifles, a revolver, and several rounds of ammunition from the scene.
“The officers acted swiftly to neutralise the threat, ensuring no harm came to law enforcement personnel,” he stated.
KZN police under scrutiny for rising shootout fatalities
This latest incident comes amid increased police-involved shootouts in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa. Just days ago, five suspects were killed in Durban under similar circumstances, adding to concerns over the use of lethal force by law enforcement.
While the public generally supports firm action against armed criminals, legal experts point out that shootouts involving police require thorough investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
IPID, however, has been notably silent on recent KZN cases.
Their last registered internal police investigation was into a shootout in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, where officers killed six suspects believed to be carrying firearms. That incident also resulted in the death of Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara, one of Cape Town’s most feared gang bosses.
Despite procedural requirements, there has been little confirmation that IPID is investigating recent KZN shootouts.
A request for comment from IPID was not received when this article was published.