Three men suspected of involvement in a series of business robberies were killed in a shootout with police and private security in Cato Manor on 10 September 2026. A fourth suspect was injured and taken to hospital under police guard.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that paramedics responded after multiple gunshots were reported around 14:00. “Three suspects sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased on scene. The fourth suspect suffered minor injuries,” Jamieson said. No law enforcement or security personnel were injured.
Rising Crime in Durban
Thick black smoke rises as emergency responders secure the scene. IMAGE :Supplied
Crime continues to plague the eThekwini Metro, with robberies and theft escalating across the city. Police remain on high alert, but the risks faced by officers highlight the dangers of tackling organized crime. The incident underscores that violence and illegal activity ultimately lead to fatal consequences.
Nongoma CIT Heist Suspects Arrested
In a separate breakthrough, three suspects aged 37, 39, and 51 were arrested in connection with a cash‑in‑transit (CIT) robbery in Nongoma on 6 August. The suspects were apprehended by the Richards Bay Serious Organized Crime Investigation Unit, supported by DPCI National Priority Violence Crime units and Durban Metro Police.
The aftermath of a violent cash‑in‑transit heist in KwaZulu‑Natal. An armored vehicle was blown open with explosives, leaving twisted metal and debris scattered across the road. IMAGE: Supplied
KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo explained that the suspects ambushed a cash van transporting pension payouts along the R66. Explosives were used to blow open the vehicle, and an undisclosed amount of money was stolen. The suspects fled in getaway vehicles, later burning them to conceal evidence.
Police recovered R23,000 in damaged cash notes, cell phones, balaclavas, ammunition, and other exhibits. The suspects are expected to appear in the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court.
The Bigger Picture
Crime in KwaZulu‑Natal is driven by desperation and unemployment, but police are adapting their strategies to combat organized criminal networks. The provincial government, civil society, and private sector are urged to cooperate in addressing poverty and reducing the conditions that fuel violent crime.