Canaan Mdletshe and Sne Masuku

Canaan Mdletshe and Sne Masuku

A one-year-old toddler was shot in the head but survived yesterday morning when she was caught in the crossfire during a shootout between five robbers and Fidelity security guards in Verulam, north of Durban.

The baby girl, who was on her mother's back, was struck by a stray bullet when they passed the crime scene.

Verulam police spokesman Captain Mandla Khumalo said a Fidelity security guard went into a food outlet to collect money when the incident happened.

"Two suspects followed him into the shop," Khumalo said. "When he came out they shot at the other guard who was waiting outside at the van.

"A shootout ensued and the toddler was hit in the head.

"The robbers got away with one money box."

Khumalo said one guard was shot in the thigh. Both guards and the toddler were taken to the Osindisweni Hospital.

Meanwhile, three men who were allegedly involved in the killing of a 21-year-old man in Umlazi on Sunday were arrested yesterday.

The police found the man's body in M-section.

Witnesses told police at the scene that the deceased was seen with a woman when the three suspects approached him.

Police spokesman Khephu Ndlovu said they believed the killing had something to do with the woman the deceased was with when he was attacked.

The suspects allegedly stabbed the victim twice in the neck and head and he died on the scene.

"We have not yet established the deceased's identity and we urge members of the public who have a missing relative to contact the police station," Ndlovu said.

The three suspects, who cannot be named until they appear in court today, are facing charges of murder.

The body of an unknown man in his 30s was found in his car yesterday morning.

Police were alerted and discovered the body in a car parked in the man's yard.

"We are unable to release his name until his relatives have been notified," Ndlovu said.

"But his identity has been determined."