SAPS TRT Fatally Wounds Wanted Kingpin in Mqanduli Shootout, Recovers AK-47
A high-stakes, intelligence-driven operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape culminated in a fatal shootout on Saturday, leaving a notorious, heavily armed murder suspect dead.
The deceased, who was intercepted by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), has been positively linked to multiple high-profile murders across the province, including the brutal killing of a police officer.
The drama unfolded at approximately 14:30 when specialized TRT operatives acted on operational intelligence regarding the location of a suspect wanted in connection with an ongoing murder case.
The team tracked the target to Mbulawa Location in Mqanduli, where they spotted him driving a white Toyota single-cab bakkie.
When tactical officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, the suspect slammed on the accelerator, triggering a high-speed chase along the R411 toward Coffee Bay.
The pursuit came to an abrupt end when the suspect’s bakkie slowed down inside Mbulawa.
As TRT members moved in to corner the vehicle, the suspect drew an AK-47 assault rifle and pointed it directly at the advancing police officers.
SAPS units opened fire in self-defence, fatally wounding the suspect.
He was declared dead at the scene. No police officers sustained injuries during the rapid exchange of gunfire.
Upon searching the vehicle, police recovered the unlicensed AK-47 rifle, noting that its serial number had been deliberately filed off. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded for comprehensive forensic examination.
Initial investigative findings have revealed that the deceased was a primary person of interest in several heinous crimes, including: the Eziko Tavern Murder where an assassination of a SAPS police officer who was gunned down. This specific docket is under active investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
The second one is the Thafalehashe Homicide where an outstanding murder where the deceased had been formally identified as the prime suspect.
In compliance with South African legislative protocols regarding deaths resulting from police action, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was immediately notified. IPID officials will conduct an independent probe to verify the exact circumstances surrounding the tactical shooting.
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