Two suspects were fatally wounded in a shootout with police on the R61 at the Hafton main gate on Friday afternoon.
According to police reports, members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) acted on intelligence regarding a grey Toyota Verso at approximately 15:20. The vehicle was reportedly linked to the recent kidnapping of a Chinese national and was suspected of being used by an extortion syndicate operating in the area.
The vehicle was intercepted and stopped along the R61 near Hafton farm. During the stop, a suspect seated in the rear of the vehicle allegedly opened fire on the officers. TRT members returned fire in self-defense, in line with tactical police procedure.
Both suspects sustained fatal wounds during the exchange. One of the deceased has been positively identified, while the second suspect remains unidentified.
As is standard practice in incidents involving police discharges, the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation.