THE three men who were arrested for the hijacking of a Uber driver on Monday, 7 November have been linked to the murder of Paresh Bodalia.
According to Captain Nqobile Gwala, KZN SAPS spokeswoman, eThekwini Inner and Outer West police arrested four men aged between 22 and 36 for a hijacking, murder and house robbery.
“Three men were found inside the vehicle they had allegedly used in the commission of a house robbery at Empangeni and a Westville murder. It is alleged that on Saturday, 5 November, four unknown gunmen accosted a homeowner in Chearsley Road in Westville, fired shots at him and he returned fire. The victim, 46, died at the scene and he managed to wound one hijacker in the exchange of gunfire. All the criminals fled in their getaway vehicle,” said Gwala.
A case of murder was opened at Westville police station for investigation and the search of the murder suspects ensued. The men allegedly took their injured accomplice to hospital and hijacked another vehicle in the Hillcrest area. With the help of the tracking system, on Monday, 7 November the vehicle was recovered and three men were arrested. The fourth man (26) who had a gunshot wound was traced at the hospital where he is kept under police guard and was charged for murder.
“The three men were charged for car hijacking and murder. The are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Thursday, 10 November. The injured man will appear in court as soon as he is released from hospital,” said Gwala.
KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa said, “The determination by the police to arrest the criminals is commended. We will continue to ensure that criminals are successfully prosecuted for their dreadful acts.”
