Bystander, gunman killed in botched Durban business robbery

A botched hold-up in Morningside, Durban, on Wednesday ended with the deaths of a gunman and an innocent bystander, while an employee was shot and injured.

Police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele said a gang stormed into a business shortly before it was due to close for the day, holding an employee at gunpoint.

"The suspects robbed a man of cash and his wallet and then fled. While making their escape, they were confronted by another employee, who was armed," she said.

A shootout ensued, with the armed employee wounding the gunman. "The suspect fired shots towards the man, who retaliated, fatally wounding him," said Mbele.

"An unlicensed firearm with three rounds of ammunition was found next to the dead gunman.

"The employee was also shot and it was later established that a passenger who was seated in a stationary taxi was shot in the head by a stray bullet during the exchange and died at the scene," added Mbele.

The surviving suspects remain at large.