4 fatally shot by South African police after suspected robbery plan disrupted

Four men were shot dead by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) during an exchange of gunfire on Tuesday evening, 6 October 2026, after officers disrupted a suspected robbery plan in the Kwadwesi/Kwazakele policing precincts in the Eastern Cape.

According to an official statement from the SAPS Eastern Cape, members of the Motherwell Tactical Response Team (TRT) were on patrol in Mtshekisani Street at around 20:00 when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. As the officers approached, the occupants allegedly opened fire. Police returned fire, and the four men were fatally wounded at the scene. No police officers were injured.

Officers recovered two unlicensed 9mm Norinco firearms (both with serial numbers filed off) and a toy gun. The vehicle involved was seized for further investigation.

Cases of inquest and attempted murder (attack on police) are being investigated by Kwadwesi SAPS. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified and will probe the four deaths.

The SAPS described the operation as a swift disruption of a suspected robbery plan.