Durban – A gun battle that erupted in the close quarters of closed-in side streets in Umlazi has left one man dead. The man was allegedly killed by police officers, who pursued him after a car chase on Wednesday.
According to two police sources, who could not be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media, the tactical response team pursued a VW Polo after a description of the car was circulated on their radio channel. It was described as a suspicious vehicle, leading officers to give chase.
The chase came to an end when a man leapt from the car and darted into the houses with police officers in hot pursuit.
According to the sources, the man was cornered near K232. As police officers made their approach, shots were fired at them through a closed door.
The officers returned fire and fatally wounded the man. They found an unlicensed police issue pistol near his body.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane confirmed the shooting.
“We can confirm the shooting that took place this morning at Umlazi, where a man was allegedly shot by the police. The docket will be taken by IPID for investigation. No arrest has been made at this stage. We don’t have all the details since the members are still at the scene,” he said.
Jeff Wicks, News24
Durban Image: Durban09