TWO people were killed and a third critically injured in separate shooting incidents between police and alleged robbers in NU16, Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, police said.

TWO people were killed and a third critically injured in separate shooting incidents between police and alleged robbers in NU16, Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, police said.

Captain Mluleki Mbi said yesterday the shooting took place on Tuesday when police searched for suspects linked to armed robberies in the area over the last few weeks.

"In the morning as police were patrolling, a number of robbers who were hiding in the bushes shot at them ... police then returned fire, killing one suspect and critically wounding the other," Mbi said.

A few hours later, following a tip-off, another suspect was shot dead in the same area after he opened fire at police. Mbi said the wounded man was in hospital under police guard.

Police were still searching for other robbery suspects.

"Community tip-offs play a huge role in the fight against crime," Mbi said. - Sapa