Feared West Gang suspect killed in Inanda shootout with police
He was among the young men who were seen firing guns in a recent viral video.
A wanted suspect with a history of serious violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and house robberies, was fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal. The incident unfolded on Wednesday evening, 16 September 2026, when police received information that the suspect was hiding at a house on Ndimande Road in the Mzomusha area of Newtown C. Upon arrival, police encountered five men and, after one of them fled indoors, gunfire erupted.
The suspect was among those shot and died from his injuries. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunsa confirmed that the suspect was a "feared member of the notorious West Gang" and pointed to a recent viral video showing him firing guns, reportedly recorded in KwaMashu. No police officer was injured during the exchange of gunfire, and an attempted murder charge has been filed for investigation.
The inquiry into the case is ongoing. Simultaneously, police have ramped up efforts to solve the murders of eight women in Ekurhuleni, following the family's identification of Dineo Evelyn Motapane's body at the Springs Mortuary. Motapane, 38, was last seen alive on Sunday before being discovered in KwaThema. The SAPS has pledged a R400,000 reward, while the DA pledged R500,000 for the prosecution of the killers.
Civil society groups have condemned the violence as part of South Africa's gender-based violence crisis.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
