Durban - A multi-disciplinary joint operation by police and private security yielded success on Tuesday after seven suspects were arrested in the Cinderella Park area of Mountain Rise in Pietermaritzburg with five firearms linked to a double murder.
A joint operation conducted late yesterday afternoon included the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, uMgungundlovu Trio Task Team, National Stabilisation Team, Flying Squad and Magma Security.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the multi-disciplinary team had received information regarding a group of suspects who were wanted for murders that were committed in KwaPata in Plessislaer hours earlier yesterday.
Describing the murder, Gwala said it is alleged that at 2.30pm yesterday two men, aged 18 and 26, were shot and killed.
“The victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene. The suspects also robbed the victims of their shoes,” she said.
Gwala said upon arrival at the identified premises in Stallion Road in Mountain Rise, police surrounded the house and identified themselves.
She said suspects attempted to flee the scene and two of them pointed firearms at the police officers.
Shaheen Suleiman, the owner of Magma Security, said three suspects fled the house by jumping over the fence.
“Two suspects pointed firearms towards members who fired in the direction of said suspects striking the two suspects,” he said.
Gwala said three suspects were successfully arrested and were found in possession of three firearms.
“Two of the suspects sustained injuries on the hip,” she said.
She said the team entered the house and found four men inside who were in possession of two pistols, a jamming device and 14 rounds of ammunition.
“During the arrest, two suspects were found wearing shoes that were robbed from the victims that were killed in KwaPata,” said Gwala.
Gwala said the suspects will also be profiled to check if they are linked to serious and violent cases reported in uMgungundlovu and surrounding areas.
“The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing,” she said.
Police said the seven suspects, aged 18 to 29, are expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as the double murder.
