DURBAN – Five suspected rhino poachers were killed in a shootout with police on the R618 Road in Hluhluwe on Saturday evening (9 May).

The incident occurred after police received intelligence that the suspects were travelling towards a game reserve, according to a statement from the KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner’s office.

Officers set up a stop and search operation along the road. When the suspects arrived at the roadblock, a shootout ensued.

All five suspects were fatally wounded. Police recovered a hunting rifle fitted with a silencer and two pistols from the scene.

No officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.