Cele says escaped prisoners among 7 killed in Pietermaritzburg gun battle
Police Minister Bheki Cele says there were escaped prisoners among the seven suspects killed in a shootout with police in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.
They had apparently escaped from prison in May.
Seven suspects were shot and killed when police responded to a burglary at a local property.
The suspected mastermind, who was also shot and killed, was on the police’s wanted list.
"We are looking at his profile, he has a very long list and warrants of arrests from rape murder, attempted murder, house robbery," Cele said at the scene.
"The main guy was injured about a week or two ago when he was out in Bergville to assassinate someone. He was being treated medically. We will see who was treating him."
Cele also described the suspects as "dangerous persons".
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"We have seven dead bodies. Five boys who were notorious and brutal to the people out there."
It is not yet known if the two women who were also shot and killed were armed.
Cele says that investigations will reveal the further details.
"Whether the girls were willingly there or taken but the investigation will tell us.
"We don't know if the two girls were armed, the investigators will tell us."
Police have confiscated five guns, including an AK-47 and ammunition.
Cele also vowed to continue looking into the "broader syndicate" that has been terrorising people in KZN.
