At least nine suspects have been killed in ferocious gun battles with police in the Eastern Cape, in just over two months. On Tuesday afternoon, three robbery suspects died during a foiled armed robbery at a Qumbu store, after an exchange of heavy gunfire with police. The dramatic shootout during the attempted robbery at China Mall in Qumbu brings the number to at least nine suspects killed in four separate gunfights between suspects, police and security guards in Mthatha, Ngcobo and Qonce .