Two heist suspects were shot dead by police in Melmoth at the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal police Superintendent Jay Naicker said on Monday.

Durban's organised crime unit was acting on information on Saturday when it went to a home where a suspect was apparently hiding.

Naicker said while police searched the home, two men emerged from a room and began shooting.

Police returned fire, killing them.

It is believed the two were part of a 16-man group who ambushed police in November last year while they were escorting a cash van to a pension paypoint.

The suspects opened fire, killing two officers and wounding two others.

They escaped with several cash boxes and firearms.

Sapa