THE police captain out on bail for the attempted murder of a man on the Bluff on New Year’s Day was arrested by the Hawks on Thursday, 26 February for the Christmas day murder of a 22-year-old Wentworth man.
During their investigation into the New Year’s Day attempted murder on Bluff Road, in which a man was shot in the arm, police were able to link the captain to the earlier murder of aspiring soccer player, Tremaine Marais.
Marais was shot in the back in the crossfire of a shoot-out in Wentworth during the early hours of Christmas day. It is believed the shooting was drug related.
The police captain turned himself over to Brighton Beach SAPS detectives on Monday, 5 January for the Bluff shooting. A silver 9mm pistol, taken from his home beforehand, was sent for ballistic testing and was linked to two spent cartridges found at the Wentworth shooting.
While at the Durban Regional Court and out on bail, the captain was re-arrested by the Hawks for the shooting of Tremaine Marais. Four witnesses have identified the police captain as the shooter.
He has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, one count each of discharging a firearm in a built-up area, enticing public violence and malicious damage to property – a car was damaged during the shootout.
“The Hawks have, through the thorough investigation conducted by the team, been able to secure a warrant of arrest being issued by the court, and the re-arrest of the captain. Brighton Beach SAPS detective services are also thanked for the partnership forged with the Hawks in this case, which resulted in a positive outcome,” said Brighton Beach SAPS media officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
