Breakthrough as suspect arrested in cop’s murder
The suspect has been charged with the following counts at KwaDukuza SAPS: murder, carjacking, and armed robbery and the following counts at KwaMashu SAPS: unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
A manhunt into the brutal murder of a Tongaat resident and KwaDukuza Metro Police officer has borne fruit and given the community a gentle hand of comfort, when a suspect was apprehended on Monday, in Melmoth, a week after the incident.
On November 4, the superintendent in the KwaDukuza Municipality’s Traffic Department, Desmond Arumugam, 50, was allegedly shot at point-blank range.
According to investigations, the suspect had boarded a taxi from KwaDukuza, thereafter robbing the driver of R2, 500 and four passengers of their cellphones at gunpoint on the N2 near Groutville.
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Due to the taxi parked incorrectly on the Bridge next to Groutville RTI, KwaDukuza Municipality Crime Prevention Unit superintendent, Arumugam had approached the taxi and was fatally shot by the suspect. It is believed the driver fled the scene, and the suspect drove the taxi into the Thembeni area, in KwaDukuza.
He abandoned the taxi with the passengers in the vehicle. A message of condolence was posted on social media which stated, “This morning, a traffic officer was shot dead by a taxi operator on the N2 Groutville off-ramp. The traffic officer was identified as Desmond Arumugam. Sadly, the member has been declared dead at the scene. Heartfelt condolences go out to the friends, family and work colleagues of the fallen member. As fellow first responders, we thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice for your community.”
This sparked a concerted effort to bring the suspect to book and gain justice for the officer, who carried out his duties with pride and dedication.
KwaDukuza Metro Police spokesperson, Cpt Alex Thomson, said, “A multi-disciplinary police operation, on November 11, led to the successful arrest of a 25-year-old male wanted for the murder. The KwaDukuza Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in collaboration with other role players successfully arrested the suspect after a thorough investigation led them to KwaMashu Hostel and the Thubelihle Informal Settlement in Melmoth. The suspect was arrested and taken to his residence at the KwaMashu Informal Settlement, where a murder weapon, a 9mm Taurus pistol, was recovered with the serial number filed off, along with two magazines and 32 live rounds of ammunition.”
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The suspect has been charged with the following counts at KwaDukuza SAPS: murder, carjacking, and armed robbery and the following counts at KwaMashu SAPS: unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. He is expected to appear in both the KwaDukuza and KwaMashu Magistrates Court.
ILembe District police commissioner, Maj Gen Anthony Gopaul expressed his appreciation to the station commander of KwaDukuza SAPS, Brig SF Mhlongo and her team for their efficient investigation and successful arrest of the suspect.
