A 21-year-old suspect was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) at Nothintsila Location, Ngqeleni, on Monday, 10 November 2025.
The incident occurred as part of a police operation initiated following intelligence on suspects allegedly involved in a recent armed robbery. The targeted individuals were accused of stealing firearms from a Nature Reserve outside Mthatha.
In response, members of the Tactical Response Team were deployed to a homestead in Nothintsila with the specific aim of arresting the suspects. According to a police report, as the officers tactically approached the house, they were met with a hail of bullets fired from within the homestead.
The police team returned fire. During the ensuing shootout, one of the suspects, aged 21, was fatally wounded. Several other suspects managed to flee the scene.
The situation remained volatile as, while police were processing the initial crime scene, the escaped suspects retaliated by firing shots from nearby bushes in an apparent attempt to scare away the officers.
An initial investigation following the operation led to the recovery of a 9mm pistol (NP 20 parabellum) and live ammunition from the scene.
A manhunt is currently underway for the remaining suspects who escaped.
Â
Â