Three suspected extortionists shot dead after opening fire on police in Ngqeleni
Tactical Response Team members were acting on information about men collecting money from local shops when the shootout broke out on a gravel road at Nothintsila.
Three men were shot dead by police on a gravel road at Nothintsila Locality in Ngqeleni on Monday, after they opened fire on members of the Tactical Response Team, the South African Police Service said.
The TRT members, from Mthatha, had received information about three male suspects allegedly involved in extortion and collecting money from local shops. Travelling along the Nothintsila gravel road, they came across men who fitted the description. The members stopped their vehicles and approached them.
The suspects opened fire. The members retaliated. All three were fatally wounded. No police member was injured.
Three pistols belonging to the suspects were recovered at the scene, all with their serial numbers filed off. The suspects have not yet been identified.
Cases of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition have been opened.
IPID was summoned to the scene, as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act of 2011 requires that deaths resulting from police action be reported to and investigated by the directorate.
SAPS has appealed to anyone with information about the identities of the deceased, or about extortion activity in the area, to come forward.
