DURBAN – Detectives from EThekwini Outer North Cluster and Verulam SAPS conducted an operation, searching for a murder suspect at Zwelisha in Verulam. Police approached the house where the suspect fled with a firearm in his hand and fired several shots at the police.
A shoot-out ensued and he was shot and injured. Police seized a pistol with five rounds of ammunition in his possession. He was taken to hospital for medical attention under police guard. A case of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm as well as ammunition was opened at Verulam police station. He will appear in the Verulam Magistrates Court soon.
It is alleged that the suspect has been terrorising the community at Zwelisha in the Verulam policing area. He is facing a charge of murder that occurred on 02 May 2020 where a 40-year-old male was fatally shot in his house. He is also facing a number of attempted murder charges where he would take the victims from their homes, assault and shoot at them. Further police investigation revealed that the suspect had a warrant of arrest in his name after he failed to return to court for Phoenix cases. He was arrested in February 2019 for theft and possession of unlicensed firearm after a pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition was found in his possession in Sastri Park.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula welcomed the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of a firearm.