Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have arrested a suspect in connection with the horrific murder of five people in KwaNdengezi last year September, with one of the victim’s cellphones having been traced and located in the 23-year-old man’s possession.
Six people – including three women – came under attack by a group of armed men while sitting inside a taxi. After they were ordered out of the vehicle, the gunmen “indiscriminately” opened fire on them. Only one of the passengers has since survived the ordeal.
KZN taxi shooting suspect nabbed
Police found five of the victim’s dead near the vehicle and established that one of the victims was seriously injured and was subsequently transported to hospital.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naiker said that information available to investigators was limited, but having worked diligently to pursue the perpetrators of the crime and bring them to book, they made a breakthrough some four months after the incident.
“Following the brutal killing of five people in KwaNdengezi last year, the Provincial Commissioner assigned the docket to detectives from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit who took over the investigation,” he said. “With little information at hand, they worked tireless in their quest to bring the ruthless killers to book so that they can answer for the heinous crime.”
Police trace cell phone
Naiker said that one of the victim’s cell phones had been stolen during the shooting, and police were able to trace it back to the home of a man in Tshelimnyama.
“Detectives recently arrested a 23-year-old man at Tshelimnyama who they found in possession of one of the deceased’s cellphone. The suspect, who was charged, made his first appearance before the Pinetown Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of stolen property.”
Following his court appearance, he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on 12 February. “Detectives expect more arrests, as the investigation is ongoing,” said Naiker.
There has been a disturbing surge in mass shooting incidents over the past year, with several gruesome murders also having taken place in the Western Cape over the past six months.
