Two SA Police Service (SAPS) officers, a truck driver and a suspected criminal died on Tuesday afternoon in a shootout between police and robbers.

A civilian and a Durban metro police officer were fighting for their lives in hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds, said Captain Thembeka Luthuli-Mbhele.

"Five men robbed an import and export company and one of the staff pressed the alarm and the police responded swiftly.

"The men fired shots when they saw that the police were following them on Victoria Embankment Street. Two cops, one suspect and a truck driver died during the shootout," said Luthuli-Mbhele.

She said two of the alleged robbers were shot and were under police guard in hospital.

Another man was arrested and the fifth one was still at large, said Luthuli-Mbhele.

ER24 emergency services spokesperson Derrick Banks said the metro officer and the civilian were in a critical condition.