police arrest

KZN police arrested three hijacking suspects a day after they held up and shot a motorist in Montclair. Photograph: SAPS

Police arrest murder, hijacking suspects in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal police arrested three hijacking suspects a day after they held up and shot a motorist in Montclair in Durban.

police arrest

KZN police arrested three hijacking suspects a day after they held up and shot a motorist in Montclair. Photograph: SAPS

KwaZulu-Natal police have swooped on murder and hijacking suspects in two separate arrests over the past few days.

KZN SAPS spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said that police arrested two suspects, aged 21 and 22, for the murder of Petros Buthelezi, 54, who was gunned down at home on the night of 9 September. 

Gwala said Buthelezi was at home with his family when the two armed suspects allegedly entered his property at around 8.30pm. 

“At gunpoint, the suspects robbed the occupants in the house of cellphones and speakers. The suspects shot Buthelezi in the chest and also stabbed him before fleeing the scene. The victim was declared dead at the scene,” Gwala said.

A case of murder was opened at Babanango police station. 

“On Friday 10 September 2021, the suspects involved in the murder were spotted at Nquthu taxi rank and police were immediately alerted,” she said.

Police arrested the men and charged them with murder.

In a separate incident Gwala said police had arrested three suspects who had allegedly hijacked a motorist in Down Avenue in Montclair at 7pm on 11 September 2021.

“The suspects shot the victim on the leg before robbing him of his cellphone and a vehicle. They fled the scene with the victim’s vehicle. Charges of carjacking and attempted murder were opened at Montclair SAPS,” Gwala said.

She said police officers, working together with the team from a vehicle tracking company, had followed up on information regarding the hijacked vehicle on Sunday12 September.

“The information led the team to Malangeni on the South Coast where the vehicle was spotted. Three suspects aged between 28 and 31 were placed under arrest for possession of a stolen vehicle,” Gwala said.

“They will also be profiled to check if they are linked to other carjacking cases reported in Montclair and surrounding areas,” she said.

They suspects are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court this week.