One person has died after a shootout with police in Qumbu near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape following a robbery tip off.

OR Tambo Police have confirmed that the incident occurred at a homestead in Gwadana where they were met with gunfire.

Police say the suspect, believed to be the primary person of interest, was fatally wounded in the exchange.

A firearm and ammunition were also recovered at the homestead.

Police spokesperson Welile Matyolo says in separate operations this week, authorities in the OR Tambo District also arrested two men and seized four unlicensed firearms.

“Port St Johns police arrested a 62-year-old man following a tip-off, recovering three unlicensed firearms from his homestead. He was arrested and will appear before Port St Johns Magistrates Court on Monday 20th of January. Whilst in Mthatha a 32-year-old male suspect was arrested outside Mthatha CBD for being found with an unlicensed 9mm pistol.”