A multi-disciplinary operation was conducted by the police in KwaZulu-Natal to apprehend suspects wanted for killing of people at Umbumbulu, Mpumalanga (KZN), Folweni and Umkomaas. Most of these killings were reported last year and some cases this year. The operation was conducted as from Monday, 9 April 2018 until late yesterday where two suspects were arrested at Shepstone Road, Durban. One of them was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They were linked to a number of murder cases including taxi related murders.
On further investigation, the police proceeded to the KwaMakhutha area where they arrested a third suspect who was also found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was also linked to a murder case at Umkomaas area this month. It is suspected that he may be linked to other murder cases reported at Umbumbulu and the surroundings areas. These suspects have been on the run for over a year. The firearms that were seized will be subjected to ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the province.
In one of the cases they were allegedly involved in, three people were shot and killed at Odidini area, Umbumbulu in August 2017. The three victims, Thamsanqa Dlamuka (43), Mduduzi Dlamuka (29) and Thabiso Dlamuka (16) were alleged shot and killed while they were walking along the gravel road. They were also wanted for a case where Sizwe Maphumulo, Wanda Makhanya and Menziwa Zondo were shot and killed while at the Odidini taxi rank in May 2017. All arrested suspects aged between 22 and 26 years appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrates’ Court and Umlazi Magistrates’ Court today and they were remanded in custody until 20 April 2018 for bail application.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa praised the team for the arrest of these most wanted suspects who were terrorising the community in and around Durban South area. “We are pleased that these cold blooded killers have been removed from society and we will do everything within our control to ensure that they remain in custody until the finalisation of their trail,” he said.