murder

The KZN police traced the suspects to a church. Photo: Pixabay.

Murder suspect killed in church shootout with police

The dead suspect was found lying next to the shotgun used in the alleged murder of Nkosi Hlanganani Biyela from Eshowe, KZN.

murder

The KZN police traced the suspects to a church. Photo: Pixabay.

The police in KwaZulu-Natal tracked the suspects involved in the alleged murder of a 54-year-old man to a church in Matshana, Ngwelezane, where a fatal shootout broke out. One of the suspects was killed and two were arrested.

MURDER SUSPECT KILLED IN CHURCH SHOOTOUT

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the alleged murder took place on 13 November 2021.

When the 54-year-old victim arrived at his Eshowe homestead at approximately 21:15, he was ambushed by four armed men who opened fire on him.

He succumbed to his gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. The police suspected that one of the murder suspects was also wounded because a trail of blood led from the crime scene into the bush and the deceased’s firearm was found cocked.

“The deceased was identified as Nkosi Hlanganani Cameron Biyela (54). Police officers from the K9 Unit were also summoned to the scene to search for the suspects but the suspects were not found. A case of murder was opened at Eshowe SAPS. The docket was transferred to the Provincial Organised Crime Unit for investigation,” said Gwala.

Months later, on 27 January, the investigation led a team of detectives to a pair of suspects – aged 27 and 28 – involved in the alleged murder. They appeared before the Eshowe Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody until their next appearance on 7 February.

On Monday, 31 January, the detectives headed to Matshana to search for the remaining suspects. The information at their disposal led them to a church where the suspects were hiding.

“Upon arrival at the said place, police were met by a hail of bullets. A gun battle ensued and the suspect believed to be in his thirties was fatally wounded,” said Gwala.

A shotgun, which the police suspect was used to murder Biyela, was found lying next to the deceased suspect.

The two other suspects – aged 25 and 30 – were also found in the church with two pistols filled with 16 bullets each.

They appeared before the Ngwelezane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

ALSO READ: