KwaZulu-Natal police have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in a deadly shootout during a business robbery in Greytown on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred when a station commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, led officers and private security in pursuit of at least 10 suspects who had fled a business robbery in a Toyota Quantum. The suspects had shot and wounded a shop owner and assaulted employees before fleeing the scene.
The confrontation turned deadly when the station commander and her team caught up with the suspects on the R33 towards Msinga. A shootout erupted, resulting in the station commander being shot and declared dead at the scene. A sergeant sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was rushed to hospital for treatment. The police also reported that two suspects were shot and killed during the confrontation, while another was wounded, arrested, and taken to hospital under police guard.
The police recovered three firearms, including two rifles and a handgun, and reported that several other suspects escaped into the surrounding mountainous area. This prompted an intensive manhunt, with Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba vowing to use every available resource to track down those responsible for the station commander's killing.
Makoba described the attack on police officers as an attack on the State and emphasized that police would continue searching day and night until those responsible were brought to justice. She also conveyed condolences to the family of the fallen officer, describing justice for her killing as the least police could offer.
The incident highlights the risks faced by police officers in the line of duty. According to recent statistics, nearly 1.8 million SAPS 10111 calls were abandoned in 2025/26, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the police communication system. The KwaZulu-Natal police have been deploying thousands of officers ahead of the 2026 local government elections to ensure safety and security.
The killing of the station commander has sparked outrage and concern about the level of violence and crime in the region. The police have been working to address these concerns, with recent convictions of former mayor’s sons for a 2020 triple murder in Pietermaritzburg. The community is calling for increased measures to ensure safety and bring perpetrators to justice.
The manhunt for the suspects is continuing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward. The community's cooperation is crucial in helping the police track down those responsible and bring them to justice. The police are working tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that the family of the fallen officer receives the closure they deserve.
Key points
- Police launch manhunt for suspects involved in deadly shootout during business robbery in Greytown.
