EASTERN CAPE – A fatal lunchtime shooting in Zwelitsha in the Eastern Cape on Saturday 22 August is connected to a robbery at a store in Qonce.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) released a statement confirming the shooting incident at 13:00. The robbery alleged saw five suspects target the store in Qonce.

“Acting on intelligence gathered after the Qonce robbery, police operational teams tracked the suspects to a location in Zwelitsha,” the statement read.

“Upon arrival, officers were met by gunfire when one of the suspects opened fire on them. In self‑defence and, in compliance with SAPS use‑of‑force protocols, members returned fire.”

During the shootout, one of the suspected robbers was fatally wounded, while another sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment under police guard. He remains in custody.

Three additional suspects were apprehended at the scene without further incident.

No police officers were injured during the exchange.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has been notified and will conduct a separate inquiry into the fatal shooting, as per legal requirements, the statement revealed.

“We applaud the swift and professional response by the [police] members, which neutralised an immediate threat and ensured that all suspects were accounted for. The SAPS remains resolute in bringing violent criminals to justice.”

The investigation continues.

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