SUSPECTED killers of the owner of a guest house in Glenwood were nabbed by police on Wednesday, August 2.

According to South African Police Services Captain Carmen Rhynes, the eThekwini District Detective Trio Task Team and eThekwini District Trio Tracing team joined efforts in arresting the two suspects for the murder of Jacqueline Needham, owner of a Glenwood guest house in Durban.

“The first arrest was a 25-year-old suspect in Cato Manor area. The suspect was interviewed and eventually admitted to his part in the planning and commission of the murder and robbery, where Jaqueline Needham, aged 69, was robbed and killed at her Bed and Breakfast in Umbilo area on August 10, 2022,” said Rhynes.

Also read: Multiple people gunned down in Durban CBD

Rhynes says that further information was followed up that same evening, where a second suspect (30) was traced and also arrested in the Cato Manor area.

“Clothes worn by the suspect which were used when drawing money with the deceased’s bank card from an ATM and which were captured on CCTV footage, were also seized from the suspect’s home,” said Rhynes.

The police caption went on to say that a cellphone the second suspect was using was investigated, and it was established that the SIM card number he had in his phone, was the for same cellphone number that he was using at the time of the commission of this offence and which had placed him on the scene of the crime during initial investigations.

“Investigations are ongoing in trying to trace further suspects. The arrested suspects will make their first appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on August 4. One suspect will be charged for murder and robbery, as well as for defeating the ends of justice for reporting a false case of carjacking,” said Rhynes. 

Also read: UPDATE: Police launch manhunt for shooting suspects

Rhynes says the second suspect will be charged with murder and robbery.

eThekwini District Commissioner Major General MV Kheswa commended the investigation teams for the breakthrough and arrests. Trusting that more arrests will follow shortly, she said, “I commend the teams and applause them for tirelessly ensuring that those responsible for this senseless murder are brought to book.”

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.