PHOTO: Supplied/Hawks
A wanted murder suspect, believed to be a notorious gangster allegedly involved in political, taxi, and drug-related hits, was arrested by members of the Hawks, Metro Police and Magma private security officers after a high-speed car chase at the Point in Durban on Monday afternoon.
South African Police Services spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the 31-year-old suspect was wanted in connection with the murder of the son of a police officer who had been gunned down on Mfolozi Road C-Section, KwaMashu on November 25, last year.
Magma Security spokesman Shaheen Suleman said security and police officers acting on information had spotted the suspect in the Point area.
“The members attempted to stop the suspect but he sped off. A high speed car chase ensued. He was then apprehended and his vehicle seized,” said Mr Suleman.
Two firearms and 34 rounds of ammunition were found on him.
Mr Suleman said the investigators then conducted a search at the suspect’s up-market apartment in North Beach as they had received information that it was being used as a safe house to “conduct hits”.
The suspect’s primary residence in Newlands East was then also searched and four AR15 rifles, 120 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition under the suspect’s bed.
“We also searched his mother’s house in KwaMashu where two guards abandoned their two rifles (AK 47 and AR15 rifle) and fled the residence. The suspect has indicated that he owned a security company with six guards. Our information is that he is involved in political hits, taxi hits, gang and drug-related hits in Newlands, Sydenham and Wentworth,” said Mr Suleman.
Colonel Netshiunda said the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to ascertain if they were used in the commission of crimes in the province or nationally. His vehicle, a black Golf GTI, was also confiscated for further investigations.
The suspect is expected to appear in court shortly.