Murder of Phoenix E-hailing driver, 4 arrested

South African Police Service

Murder of Phoenix E-hailing driver, 4 arrested
Murder of Phoenix E-hailing driver, 4 arrested

On 30 August 2022 at 22:00, E-hailing driver Ganesh Tiven (38) received a request to pick up clients at a tavern in Phoenix and transport them to Cornubia.

On arrival at Cornubia the four men turned on him and robbed him of his firearm. They also attempted to put him in the boot of the vehicle, however he managed run away.

Whilst fleeing one of the suspects shot him on his leg and he fell to the ground.

The suspects then approached the victim and fired several shots fatally wounding him.

They fled in deceased’s vehicle which was later found crashed in Ndwedwe. Charges of murder and carjacking were opened at the Verulam police station.

On 19 September 2022, the investigation conducted by police officers from Verulam SAPS together with Crime Intelligence led them to a flat in Verulam where one of the suspects lived.

A search was conducted and a 9mm pistol belonging to the deceased was recovered. Bongani Ndebele (20) was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as murder and carjacking. He appeared at the Verulam Magistrates Court on 11 October 2022 and the case remanded to 13 October 2022.

Three outstanding suspects aged between 17 and 23 were arrested on 11 October 2022 for murder and carjacking. They are expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.

Investigations are underway to link the men to a robbery case which took place on 10 September 2022 at Cornubia where a family was robbed at gunpoint by a group of men. They stole cellphones, a firearm and cash before they fled the scene. A case of robbery was opened at Verulam police station for investigation.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service