‘They’re coming to shoot’: Suspects warned KZN police before AK-47 ambush

Guns seized by KZN police after two suspects were arrested with an AK-47 allegedly linked to a planned cash-in-transit heist.

Police have launched a manhunt for suspects who opened fire on a police vehicle in Cato Manor on Monday night.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers in Cato Manor were doing their routine crime prevention and stop-and-search duties when they spotted a silver Toyota Etios which was parked at Bonela sports field along Raymond Road.

"Police approached the vehicle, and they found two occupants inside the vehicle.

"A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle and four fully loaded magazines."

"When police were driving on Dunbar Road towards a police station to formally charge the suspects, they were followed by two vehicles, a white Toyota Double Cab and a white Toyota Corolla Cross.

"The arrested suspects warned police officers to drive off because the occupants of those vehicles were going to shoot at them."

He said the suspects informed the police that they were waiting for the very same vehicles to deliver another AK-47 for a cash-in-transit robbery which was planned for Tuesday, 25 August.

"Police indeed sped off but found themselves under heavy gunfire from the occupants of the two vehicles.

"The presence of several members of the public prevented police from returning fire to avoid calamity; instead, police drove tactically until they found refuge at a police station."

He said the arrested suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital, where they are recovering under police guard.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects is urged to report to the nearest police or the crime stop number 08600 10111.