A suspect wanted in connection with the 2020 murder of KwaZulu-Natal school principal Zwelabantu Zuma was fatally wounded in a shootout with police on Sunday afternoon.
Members of the SAPS National Intervention Unit (NIU) located the 40-year-old man at a hostel in Mapetla, Soweto. Upon noticing the police, the suspect opened fire. NIU officers returned fire, fatally wounding him.
The suspect was linked to the murder of Zwelabantu Zuma, who was shot and killed in his office at a school in Msinga. He was also wanted for several other KZN cases, including carjacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Although previously arrested and had the case withdrawn, a new investigation led to a J50 warrant being issued for his arrest.
In the principal’s murder case, two accused are already serving life sentences, two others died before trial, and one suspect remains outstanding.