DURBAN – An intelligence driven multidisciplinary police operation was conducted in the Point area yesterday.
The team was following up information about a suspect who was wanted for the murder of a taxi driver who was killed in 2016. They went to the identified flat on Prince Street and 12 people were found inside. A search was conducted and a 38-year-old suspect who was wanted for murder was found. He was then placed under arrest. Two other suspects aged 37 and 38 were found in illegal possession of a revolver with nine rounds of ammunition and a pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition. Eight licensed firearms were also confiscated by the team for further investigation.
It is alleged on 10 December 2016 at 18:00, Simphiwe Mbeje (22) was driving a taxi at Mbava area along Nagle Dam with his brother on their way home when they were attacked by men who were travelling in another vehicle. Shots were fired at them and Simphiwe was declared dead at the scene whilst the passenger escaped unharmed. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
During 2017, Eric Mthembeni Mnyandu (43) was arrested and charged for murder as well as attempted murder. He made several court appearances and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in May 2019. The suspect arrested for murder will appear before the Camperdown Magistrates’ Court tomorrow on charges of murder and attempted murder. The two suspects arrested for illegal possession of firearms are appearing before the Durban Magistrates Court today.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula hailed the team for the arrest of the wanted suspects and the recovery of the illegal firearms.
