Three CPF members; one suspect dies in shootout

(Photo: SAPS)

Three members of a community policing forum (CPF) and a suspect were killed in a shooting in Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to col. Robert Netshiunda, police spokesperson, a group of a CPF patrolled Nohohwana Skeke Street in Bhambayi on Friday evening when they came across three men whom they suspected of robberies in the area.

“An altercation allegedly followed and there was a shootout between the patrollers and the suspected suspects. Two people, a patroller and a suspected suspect, died at the scene. Two more patrollers later succumbed to their gunshot wounds in hospital.”

Lt. Gen. In response to the incident, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner, said organized community crime-fighting groups should cooperate with the police and avoid direct confrontation with suspected criminals.

“We encourage active community participation in the fight against crime, that is the only way we can win the fight against crime.

“However, community structures such as the CPF and other supplementary structures must be the eyes and ears of the police and never take actions that could endanger their lives. We have seen criminals shoot at police officers, which means they will never think twice before shooting at a civilian.”

Mkhwanazi appealed to leaders of all community crime fighting structures to align themselves with the provisions of the CPF constitution and participate in crime fighting initiatives in a controlled and legal manner.