A fugitive, who escaped from police custody three months ago, killed himself when police swooped on his Burgersfort hideout, Limpopo police say.
Smangele Abel Thulare, who was wanted in connection with 14 house robberies, sustained a gunshot wound to the head, said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
Police acted on a tip-off on Wednesday and surrounded a RDP house he was occupying.
"When they ordered Thulare to come out...he decided to try his luck by shooting at the police," said Mulaudzi.
"The police took cover until the bullets stopped flying."
When police gained access into the house, they found the 30-year-old lying on the floor bleeding.
He was taken to hospital and declared dead.
The Independent Complaints Directorate was investigating the matter.
An inquest docket has been opened.
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