 |
| Dassen Thathiah | Image Credit |
Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) engaged in a gun battle with suspects in Mariannhill, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals. The suspects, between the ages of 18 and 23, were wanted for various crimes and were reportedly linked to the rape of a young girl, with her mother forced to witness the heinous act.
The shootout occurred in the early hours of the morning, with police forensics teams currently investigating the scene. Three firearms have been recovered so far, with police continuing to search for two additional suspects. The suspects had taken over a property in Desai, using it as their base of operations, where they terrorized residents, robbing and raping them while issuing threats to prevent victims from reporting the crimes.
The community, which had suffered at the hands of these criminals, watched as the mortuary vans arrived to collect the bodies. Some residents expressed relief and excitement at the police intervention, signaling a sense of justice being served.
Family members of the deceased suspects have arrived to identify their loved ones, many overcome with grief. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been called to investigate the incident, as is standard protocol in cases where deaths occur as a result of police action.
Additionally, a rifle was found inside the suspects' hideout, adding to the arsenal of weapons recovered. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in South Africa and the complexities of policing in the country.
