Taxi boss Celani Twazi died during a police operation in Mpindweni in the Eastern Cape.
The operation followed the killing of two police officers in Libode on 18 September 2026.
Members of the National Intervention Unit went to a premises in Mpindweni to execute a search warrant.
However, gunfire broke out during the operation.
Police and Twazi exchanged gunfire, and Twazi died at the scene.
Police also recovered a firearm during the operation.
They said the firearm linked to the shooting of the two officers.
Two officers killed in Libode
The two officers died in Libode near Mthatha in the early hours of 18 September.
The officers were aged 30 and 52.
They served with the Mthatha National Intervention Unit and the Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit.
According to police, the officers responded to reports of an armed attack at a spaza shop.
The suspects allegedly confronted the shop operator and demanded money.
When the officers arrived, the suspects allegedly opened fire.
Both officers suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Police launch 72-hour operation
Following the killings, police launched a 72-hour operation to find the suspects.
As a result, police arrested two people during the operation.
Three other people died during encounters with police.
The death of Twazi forms part of the wider operation linked to the Libode killings.
Police have not released further details about possible charges linked to the Mpindweni incident.
The investigation is continuing.
