A 25-year-old male suspect wanted for the murder of KwaDukuza Municipality Crime Prevention Unit Superintendent Arumugam has been apprehended in a coordinated multi-disciplinary police operation. The arrest took place on 11 November 2024, following an intensive investigation by the KwaDukuza Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, alongside other law enforcement agencies.
The suspect was located and detained in Melmoth, after police tracked him to the KwaMashu Hostel and Thubelihle Informal Settlement. During the arrest, officers recovered a 9mm Taurus pistol with a filed-off serial number, two magazines, and 32 live rounds of ammunition at the suspect's residence in the KwaMashu Informal Settlement.
The tragic incident occurred on 4 November 2024, when the suspect, after allegedly robbing a taxi driver of R2,500 and four passengers of their cellphones at gunpoint, parked the taxi improperly near Groutville. Superintendent Arumugam approached the vehicle and was fatally shot by the suspect. The suspect then drove the taxi to the Thembeni area of KwaDukuza, where he abandoned it with the passengers still inside.
The suspect now faces multiple charges, including murder, carjacking, and armed robbery in KwaDukuza, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in KwaMashu. He is scheduled to appear in both the KwaDukuza and KwaMashu Magistrates’ Courts on 13 November 2024.
ILembe District Police Commissioner Major General Anthony Gopaul commended Brigadier SF Mhlongo, Station Commander of KwaDukuza SAPS, and her team for their swift and effective investigation, which led to the arrest and the recovery of evidence linked to the murder of Superintendent Arumugam.