Astute intelligence-led investigations by Provincial Organised Crime officers were rewarded with a breakthrough when four men suspected to be involved in cases of attempted murder were nabbed in Ulundi on Wednesday, 10 May 2023.
The suspects, whose ages range between 34 and 51 years old, are suspected to be behind the attempted murder of a 38-year-old passenger who sustained a gunshot wound during a shooting at the Ulundi 19 turn-off in Babanango on 27 April 2023.
When police responded to the shooting they found three minibus taxis which were riddled with bullet holes.
One passenger had caught a bullet and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The four suspects, two of whom are taxi owners and the others security guards at the local taxi rank, were also charged with malicious damage to property.
The 51-year-old suspect was also charged for another case of attempted murder wherein a 55-year-old man was shot at in a drive-by shooting along the Nkonjei Mayiwane Road in Ulundi in the afternoon of 23 January 2023.
The victim was driving his vehicle when another motor vehicle came from behind and drove parallel to him before the passenger of the other vehicle fired several gunshots at him. He survived the shooting but sustained serious injuries.
Three school children whom he had offered a lift to escaped the shooting unharmed.
On Friday, 5 May 2023, the Organised Crime officers raided a security company’s offices in Durban and seized four AK 47 assault rifles and four pistols.
These firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine whether they have been used in the commission of crimes.
The four suspects were due to appear in court on Thursday, 11 May 2023 and the 51-year-old will also be in the dock on Friday, 12 May 2023.
