KwaDukuza crime prevention unit chief murdered: Suspect arrested

A 25-year-old man was arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of KwaDukuza municipality’s crime prevention unit Superintendent, Desmond Arumugam (50).

Arumugan was gunned down last Monday when he approached a taxi to investigate why it was parked incorrectly on a bridge near the Groutville Road Traffic Inspectorate offices.

According to a police report, a man who boarded the taxi from KwaDukuza to Durban allegedly robbed the taxi driver of R2 500 and four passengers of their cell phones at gunpoint while on the N2 near Thembeni.

The parked taxi attracted Arumugan’s attention. He was shot as he walked over to investigate. The taxi driver managed to escape, after which the suspect drove the taxi into Thembeni where he abandoned it with the passengers still inside.

iLembe police spokesperson Captain Alex Thomson says the KwaDukuza serious and violent crimes unit, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, apprehended the suspect following an investigation that led them to the KwaMashu Hostel and the Thubelihle informal settlement in Melmoth.

He was ultimately arrested in Melmoth and officers recovered the murder weapon, a 9mm Taurus pistol, with the serial number filed off, along with two magazines and 32 rounds of live ammunition at his KwaMashu residence.

“He has been charged with murder, carjacking, armed robbery and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.”

He is due to appear in both the KwaDukuza and Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Courts tomorrow, says Thomson.

District commissioner, Major General Anthony Gopaul, commended KwaDukuza Police Station commander Brigadier Sbongile Mhlongo and her team for their swift investigation, which led to the successful arrest and recovery of the weapon and ammunition.