Two suspected armed robbers were shot and fatally wounded and one was injured in a shootout with police in Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal

Police have launched a manhunt for three suspects following a shootout in KwaMsane, northern KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Two suspected armed robbers were killed and a third was wounded during the exchange of gunfire with police.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers from Hluhluwe responded to a report of an armed robbery within the Hluhluwe policing precinct.

"Acting swiftly on information provided by the complainant, officers spotted a vehicle matching the description travelling south on the N2 and immediately initiated a pursuit. Members of the Umkhanyakude District Task Team joined the operation to provide support.