The body of one of three armed men shot dead by police in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape, lies in the road.
Image: Leon Knipe
Three armed men aged between 40 and 46 were shot dead by police after they allegedly opened fire on officers during an operation in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape.
The shooting occurred on Thursday, August 27, during an intelligence-driven operation by a multidisciplinary police team.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said members of the Commander’s Recce Team, Mthatha Crime Intelligence, Provincial Head Office Crime Intelligence and the OR Tambo Tactical Response Team acted on information about armed men in the Mqanduli area.
The information led the team to a homestead in Khovoti Locality, Lucwecwe Administrative Area, in Mqanduli.
“Upon arrival, the team knocked on a house at the homestead and announced their presence.”
Gantana said that instead of receiving an audible response, officers were met with gunfire from inside the dwelling.
“The SAPS members returned fire, wounding all three suspects.”
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the scene, where the three men were certified dead.
Gantana said no SAPS members were injured.
She said the three were adult men from Magutywa Location, kuTsolo, aged between 40 and 46.
“Their identities are known to the investigating team, but are not being disclosed at this stage of the investigation.”
Three unlicensed firearms were recovered from the scene, including two pistols with their serial numbers filed off and a shotgun with no serial number.
“Ammunition was also seized as exhibits. All exhibits were processed by the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).”
Gantana said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was summoned to the scene in line with prescribed procedures.
“An inquest docket, as well as a case of attack on police, has been opened at Mqanduli SAPS for further investigation,” she said.
The shooting in Mqanduli follows an earlier incident in Zwelitsha, Eastern Cape, in which one man was shot dead and another injured during a shootout with police following a robbery at a store in Qonce.
The shooting occurred at about 1pm on Saturday, August 22, after police received information about the men's whereabouts.
Police officers tracked the men to a location in Zwelitsha, where they came under attack when one of the suspects opened fire on them.
The police returned fire and one man was fatally wounded, while the other was injured and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment under police guard. He remains in custody.
Three more men were arrested at the scene without further incident.
Gantana said no police officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
The IPID was notified and would conduct a separate investigation into the fatal shooting, as required by law.
Gantana praised the police officers involved for their response.
“The SAPS remains resolute in bringing violent criminals to justice,” she said.
Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
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