Durban man on the run after double murder, R50 000 reward offered

Durban North detectives are appealing to members of the community to assist with the whereabouts of a man believed to have been involved in a double murder in Umhlanga in December 2019.  

In a statement released on Friday 17 January 2020, police said detectives are offering out a reward of up to R50 000 for information that could bring the man to book.   

Who is the man on the run following a double murder? 

Durban North Detective Balram says the man at large, known as Strini Chetty (alias Micolan), is in his 30s, approximately 1.78m in height, is dark in complexion and medium built with short hair. 

“The detectives believe that he can be of assistance in a double murder case that they are investigating,” said KZN SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele. 

According to a Facebook post two weeks ago, by a man known as Rivaaj Ramdas, Chetty has a box shape BMW that has already been recovered by police. 

Double murder in Umhlanga Durban 

On Saturday 28 December 2019 at 13:00, two black BMW vehicles were travelling along Umhlanga Rocks Drive in Durban. According to the statement, the vehicles approached the traffic lights at the intersection of Umhlanga Rocks Drive and Keynsham Drive, when the driver of the rear BMW began to shoot at the occupants in the BMW that was in front. 

“A female passenger in the vehicle sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced dead on the scene by the attending paramedics,” said Mbele. 

“The male driver sustained two gunshots wounds to the head, one on the body and was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” he added. 

According to SowetanLive, the two victims were identified as Bradley Hiralall and Bilquees Hussain. 

Charges of murder were opened at the Durban North police station for investigation.

Suspicious behaviour prior to double murder 

According to IOL,  the suspect appeared in court in 2013 for allegedly throwing boiling water on his partner at the time. 

“The man accused of throwing a kettle of hot water on his girlfriend was granted bail under strict conditions by the Newlands West Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Strini Chetty, 26, a truck driver for a Durban cartage company, was charged with the attempted murder of his girlfriend, Bilquees Hussain, 21,” said the report. 

Durban detective offers a reward of R50K  

Anyone who can assist the police with the investigation is requested to contact Brigadier MM Khumalo on 082-556-8642 or Captain R Balram on 083-783-6007 or Crime Stop on 086-00 1-0111. 

Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated in the strictest of confidence. 

“A reward of up to R50 000 is being offered for any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect in this case,” said Mbele.