Three suspects were shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with police in the Durban suburb of Malvern on Saturday afternoon. The police officers stationed in Malvern were responding to a report of a vehicle being stolen on Main Road when they spotted five men in a VW Jetta attempting to steal a Toyota Tazz‚ Kwazulu-Natal police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said.“When police confronted the men they immediately sped off. Police officers pursued the men who then started shooting at the policemen.“Police officers returned fire at the men who crashed their getaway vehicle. During the shootout two of the men managed to flee on foot whilst three of them died on the scene‚” Brig Naicker said.Police recovered three pistols with their serial numbers filed off and live ammunition as well as car breaking implements‚ he added.“The dead men have not been identified at this stage. A case of attempted murder‚ possession of unlicensed firearms and suspected stolen property was opened for investigation.“Fortunately‚ none of the police officers were injured during the shootout. A man hunt is underway for the two men who managed to flee during the shootout‚” Brig Naicker said.KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni praised the police officers for their bravery while being shot at.“I am pleased that our officers escaped unscathed during the exchange of gunfire and I am certain that we will find the men who managed to flee so that they can face the consequences for their actions. These men are highly dangerous criminals and the fact that they were armed to the teeth is an indication that they will kill anyone who comes in the way of their intended criminal activities‚” she said...