Police vow ‘day and night’ hunt for gunmen after station commander killed in shootout - TimesLIVE

Police have vowed to hunt “day and night” for the gunmen behind the fatal shooting of a KwaZulu-Natal police station commander and the wounding of another policeman during a shootout near Greytown on Thursday.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the colonel had led officers responding to a business robbery in progress in Greytown on Thursday afternoon. A shop owner was shot and wounded, and employees were assaulted.

“At least 10 suspects fled in a Toyota Quantum. The commander and her officers, working with private security, pursued them and caught up with them on the R33.

“A shootout ensued between the suspects and the police. The suspects shot at the station commander, and she was declared dead at the scene. A sergeant was shot in the arm and was taken to hospital for medical attention.”

He said two suspects were shot and fatally wounded, and another was wounded. He was arrested and taken to hospital under police guard. Three firearms, two rifles and a handgun, were found in the possession of the suspects. Other suspects evaded arrest and fled “into the mountains”.

KwaZulu-Natal acting police commissioner Maj-Gen Phumelele Makoba said police would use all resources to track down those responsible.

“An attack on police officers is an attack on the state, and police will use every available resource to trace the suspects. The suspects will know no peace, and the police will hunt them day and night.

“On behalf of the management of police in KwaZulu-Natal and the entire workforce, I send our heartfelt words of condolences to the family of the fallen heroine. The least we can offer now is justice, and we shall find the suspects, dead or alive,” said Makoba.