Three men were killed during an early-morning shootout with police in Mariannhill, west of Durban, after allegedly opening fire on officers during an attempted arrest.
The South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Tracing Team had reportedly been tracking suspects linked to a kidnapping and fraud case in Greenwood Park.
Police say the suspects were also believed to be in possession of illegal firearms.
According to authorities, officers spotted the Hyundai vehicle the suspects were travelling in, but the occupants allegedly opened fire and attempted to flee.
A shootout followed, during which the vehicle crashed.
All three suspects were killed during the exchange.
Police have since recovered firearms and ammunition from the scene as investigations continue.