Five suspects have been arrested during an early-morning police operation in Inanda and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province secured search and arrest warrants for suspects allegedly linked to the killings of Crime Intelligence officers Captain Louis Nel and Sergeant Mandla Khuzwayo following a lengthy investigation.
Police say the first five suspects surrendered during the operation.
A sixth suspect, who was with his girlfriend at the time, allegedly refused to leave his home and opened fire on officers who arrived at around 3am.
Police say the suspect later released his partner while the standoff continued.
Members of the Special Task Force were brought in to assist with the operation.
The suspect was eventually shot dead after allegedly resisting arrest and exchanging gunfire with police.
A Special Task Force member was also wounded during the operation and is reportedly recovering well.
The SAPS has not yet confirmed the motive behind the killings of Nel and Khuzwayo.
However, police have indicated that the investigation involved both internal and external elements.
The operation follows a months-long manhunt for those allegedly responsible for the deaths of the two officers, who were ambushed along Flanders Drive in Mount Edgecombe earlier this year.