Investigations led police to four men in Umlazi, wanted for hijackings in Wentworth, the Bluff, Montclair, Amanzimtoti and Umbilo.
They were linked to two cases, one in Wentworth and another in Amanzimtoti. On Thursday, 16 January a woman and her two sons, aged eight, were hijacked in Wentworth. The armed men overpowered her and drive off in her Avanza with her children still inside. They were later dropped off elsewhere and returned home safely. The vehicle was recovered later still in Umlazi C section.
In the Amanzimtoti hijacking, a 57-year-old man was shot in Warner Beach at about 8pm on 6 November, 2013 by two armed men. The men, aged between 19 and 35, were being arrested when one of them received a phone call from a friend, informing him of a murder that had taken place in Umlazi’s G section.
Unaware that police were listening in, arrangements were made to meet with the caller. Two men were found at the scene, and arrested after they attempted to flee from police. A search of the men revealed the 9mm pistol believed to be used in the murder of a 22-year-old tuck shop owner moments before. Items stolen from the shop were also recovered.
The gun has been sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in the commission of other crimes.
“Thank-you to our ever-alert members who arrested robbery and murder suspects a few minutes after the incident. We appeal to the community to work together with the police in the fight against crime, by providing information about any criminal activities. We believe our operations aimed at addressing the proliferation of illegal firearms will contribute to a decline in serious and violent crimes,” said provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
