Brutal murder in KZN: 2 arrested

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a man in Jika Joe in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.

The Witness reports that the deceased, believed to be a Somalian national, was found last Friday evening, bludgeoned with cement blocks and burnt to death in what was suspected to be a mob attack in Ash Road in the ‘village’ located near the Jika Joe camps.

SAPS says a task team was quickly formed to investigate the murder and, over the past week, information was gathered and operations were set up.

At around midnight on Thursday, a tactical-based and intelligence-led operation consisting of SAPS, security companies and patrollers successfully executed the arrests.

According to a SAPS report, the gathered intelligence led the tactical team to both of the suspects’ hideouts, which were located deep inside the Jika Joe camp. Police entered the area and proceeded to the hideouts, where two men were located and positively identified as the suspects involved in the assault, murder and burning of the deceased’s body.

Both suspects were placed under arrest and taken to the Pietermaritzburg Central SAPS in Loop Street.

uMgungundlovu District police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala says the suspects were aged between 18 and 30 and have been detained for further investigation.

Ward councillor for the Jika Joe area, Suraya Reddy, commended those involved in the operation.

“I would like to commend SAPS Pietermaritzburg Crime Intelligence and SAPS PMB K9 Unit, as well as the private security companies involved. It restores hope in a community that is plagued with crime, murders and robberies daily. It also sends out a strong message that zero tolerance will be maintained specifically in this area,” Reddy says.

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