‘Dead’ KZN robber surprises police during forensic investigation

A suspected robber believed to be dead suddenly regained consciousness during a police forensic investigation following a dramatic shootout. Two suspected armed robbers were killed while a third miraculously “woke up” from the dead during a forensic investigation following a dramatic midnight shootout with police in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The chaotic gun battle unfolded along the N2 just after midnight on Tuesday, June 2, leaving two suspects dead, one in the hospital, and at least three others on the run.

According to KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the drama began in the Hluhluwe policing area when a man reported that he had been robbed by a group of armed suspects. Hluhluwe police spotted the getaway vehicle travelling southbound on the N2 highway. A high-speed pursuit ensued, with reinforcements from the Umkhanyakude District Task Team rushing to back up the responding officers.

The chase stretched across the district, finally coming to a head in the KwaMsane area, where the suspects opened fire on law enforcement. Police retaliated, leading to a fierce shootout. In a bizarre turn of events, initial assessments at the scene led officials to believe that three suspects had been fatally wounded.

[paywall]

However, the grim scene took an unexpected twist when the “deceased” third suspect suddenly regained consciousness when the forensics team was processing the scene. “Three suspects were believed to have been fatally wounded; however, the third suspect woke up when the forensics were taking photographs,” said Netshiunda. The injured suspect was immediately treated and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains under heavy police guard.

Police recovered three firearms from the scene. However, the threat is not entirely over, as a massive manhunt has been launched to track down the remaining members of the gang. “Police are still hunting for at least three more suspects who narrowly evaded arrest,” Netshiunda added. No police officers were injured during the violent exchange of gunfire.

[/paywall]