News24 | Suspected extortionist killed in Eastern Cape police shootout

One person has been killed in a police shootout in the Eastern Cape. (Lulama Zenzile/Gallo Images)

• One person has been killed in a police shootout in the Eastern Cape.
• The man was believed to be linked to robbery and extortion cases.
• His alleged accomplices managed to flee.

A suspected extortionist was killed in a shootout with police in Ngqamakhwe in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.

The 31-year-old man was killed during a Crime Intelligence-driven operation by the police and the National Intervention Unit.

"They operationalised and followed [up] information of suspects allegedly involved in robberies and extortion. They received information that these suspects were driving a Quantum, planning to collect money in business places [in] Ngqamakhwe," police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said.

Police spotted the vehicle in the Ngqamakhwe central business area and tried to stop it.

"When the suspects saw police vehicles, they started shooting at them, and a shootout ensued. One suspect was fatally shot, and the others fled the scene with the Quantum and are still at large," Mawisa added.

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A firearm was confiscated.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said, "police are squashing crime'.

"We are not going to tolerate the perpetrators who terrorise the South African citizens. We will ensure that those involved in criminal activities are taken into custody," Mene said.

Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha lauded police for "successfully defending themselves when attacked by brazen criminals".

"We want to issue a stern warning against these brazen criminals to desist from attacking our police as they are always ready to defend themselves. We are making a clarion call on the people of this province to continue to use the extortion hotline to report all extortion and protection fees criminality," said Nqatha.

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The extortion hotline number is 082 387 1561.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, two people were shot dead in Motherwell and two others were wounded when three gunmen opened fire on a house in NU12.

Mawisa said that at around 21:00, the victims were watching television in a house in Dyakalashe Street when three armed men stormed into a house through the kitchen door.

"It is alleged that the balaclava-clad suspects opened fire [on] the four victims. One victim (female) died on the scene, and the second victim died on arrival at the hospital. The other two victims (male and female) were admitted [to] hospital for medical attention," Mawisa added.

The motive for the incident is unknown.