Inside the operation that tracked down Crime Intelligence murder suspect - IOL
A prosecutorial-guided investigation into the killing of two Crime Intelligence officers has led police to six suspects, with five arrested and another fatally wounded during a shootout in Inanda.
A months-long investigation following the murders of two Crime Intelligence officers has led police to six suspects, with five arrested and another fatally wounded during a shootout in Inanda on Friday, September 25.
Police said an intelligence-led, multidisciplinary operation was conducted in the early hours of Friday, September 25, following a prosecutorial-guided investigation launched after Captain Louis Nel and Sergeant Mandla Khuzwayo were ambushed in Mount Edgecombe in April.
The operation resulted in five suspects being arrested in Pinetown, Amanzimtoti, Mandeni and Newlands West.
A sixth suspect was located at a house in Emaplasini, Inanda, but allegedly refused to obey police instructions and opened fire from inside the property.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the standoff lasted about three hours, while negotiations continued with the suspect.
The suspect eventually released his girlfriend, who was inside the house.
He was later shot and fatally wounded during the operation, according to Netshiunda.
A Special Task Force officer was also shot in the hand during the operation.
The five arrested suspects are being processed and are expected to appear in court on Monday, September 28.
Nel and Khuzwayo were ambushed in Mount Edgecombe on April 30. Nel died at the scene while Khuzwayo died weeks later.
At his funeral, Nel was later remembered at his funeral as a dedicated Crime Intelligence officer and highly trained Special Task Force operator.
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli described him as a courageous and committed law enforcement officer who had dedicated his life to protecting the people of the province.
In a statement to the media at the time of Khuzwayo's death, Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, said, “The loss of Sergeant Khuzwayo is yet another painful reminder of the dangers our members face daily in the execution of their duties. We remain deeply concerned by the targeting of police officers and are intensifying measures aimed at enhancing and improving police safety,” Dimpane said.
Speaking to IOL following Friday's operation, Major General Nonkululeko Phokane said that while the death of one suspect and the arrests of the others may not bring back Captain Nel and Sergeant Khuzwayo, it brings closure.
"It also ensures that justice is done," she said.
"We have seen from this operation that police have done their work. It is for us to put our trust in the court and see convictions. This must send a strong message about the stance that police and the government have taken against those who point firearms at police. When our officers were ambushed, police determined that they would find those responsible, and that is what they have done. We welcome the work by our members and are encouraged that they remain relentless in the fight against crime," Phokane said.
