AFTER nearly a two-year wait, the murder case of Northdene resident, John Arundel, was finally put to rest with the successful conviction of two accused.
Shaun Chiwawa and Reese Singh made their final appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s court recently, where their respective sentences was handed down.
Corporate Communications Officer at SAPS Malvern, W/O Radhika Marimuthu, said the conviction of these men was a result of hard work. “The suspects appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
“Reece Singh was convicted for theft and sentenced to seven years, while Shaun Chiwawa was convicted for murder, for which he got life imprisonment,” she said.
Chiwawa was also convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances and was handed down an additional 15 year sentence and a further seven years for theft, to be served concurrently.
Station Commander, Lt-Col Valarine Reddy, commended the Investigating Officer, Detective W/O Craig James, for his outstanding investigative work which was crucial in ensuring the conviction and sentencing of the suspects.
Over the years leading up to his death, Arundel had been subjected to a number of robberies and beatings, one of which led to his hospitalisation.
On the day of his death he sustained several stab wounds to the chest and neck which led to him bleeding to death in his Main Road home. Upon examination of his body, authorities concluded that he had been dead for several days before his body was discovered.
Moseley Neighbourhood Watch (MNW) communications officer, Mark Swan, said they were pleased with the sentencing. “MNW welcomes the sentence and applauds the SAPS on excellent police work. This was a very tragic event and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Arundel family,” he said.
PHOTO: Robyn Scott
