Nine suspects killed in shootout with police

DURBAN - Nine rape and armed robbery suspects have been killed in a shootout with police in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal.

Police have launched a manhunt for another two.

KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the suspects have been wanted for a number of cases .

"They've been committing violent crimes such as armed robberies, rapes, murders and house robberies," he said.

"Earlier this morning we received intelligence on their whereabouts and when we pounced on them our team erroneously knocked at the wrong house and the next thing they heard were gunshots from the opposite house.

"Our team retaliated and a shootout ensued. After the shootout, nine suspects were found with fatal gunshot wounds."