A Pakistani national has been arrested in connection with a murder and hijacking that took place in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, following a series of events that unfolded Thursday afternoon.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers were called to an apartment on Thompson Lane in the Verulam CBD after reports of a shooting and hijacking. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the owner of a cellphone shop had shot and killed an employee at a flat they were sharing. The suspect then fired shots at a second male before fleeing to the basement, where he hijacked a grey Hyundai Sonata.
All three individuals involved were Pakistani nationals. Tragically, the injured man died from his wounds at the scene. RUSA officers tracked the hijacked vehicle, locating it abandoned on Old Main Road in Ottawa, KZN.
The following morning, at approximately 8:14 AM, RUSA officers were dispatched to a callout regarding an injured male walking on Mission Road in Missionlands, KZN. Upon arrival, they noticed the man had a fractured right hand but was reluctant to seek medical attention or explain his injury.
During questioning, officers suspected the man might be linked to the previous murder and hijacking. After further investigation, the man confirmed his identity and admitted to discarding the firearm used in the crime along a railway line in Phoenix, KZN.
A search was carried out, and officers recovered a licensed 9mm Canik firearm belonging to the suspect. The suspect and the weapon were handed over to local police for further investigation.