Suspects linked to two drive-by shootings nabbed
SUSPECTS linked to two Durban drive-by shootings – in Springfield and Broadlands – have been arrested by the Hawks and metro police.
In December, Faziela Fakroodeen and her daughter, Luthfiya Cassim Mooideen, were travelling in a BMW SUV when they came under attack on Inanda Road, in Springfield.
On Tuesday, Abubaku Amisa, 37, and Carlos Mpanza, 36, were arrested for their murder.
A third suspect, who tried to escape, was killed in a shoot-out with police.
A police source said the arrests came while they were following up on information on suspected cash-in-transit robbers.
The same suspects, the source said, were allegedly linked to the Springfield shooting.
“Police proceeded to Zinkwazi where they intercepted and apprehended a man who was allegedly involved in the shooting. The suspect was arrested and informed police about a second suspect who was the alleged shooter.”
The source said an operation was conducted and the suspect was tracked to the M41 Freeway.
“Police attempted to intercept the suspect’s vehicle but he opened fire. Police returned fire and the suspect’s vehicle overturned during the highspeed chase. The suspect was killed,” the source added.
He said a follow-up investigation was conducted in Greenwood Park and a third suspect, who allegedly took the contract to kill the mother and daughter, was arrested.
The accused appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last Thursday. They have been charged with murder.
On Saturday night, the team arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the attempted murder of Blaine Pillay and his 10-year-old son, in Broadlands.
In February this year, Pillay, 33, was seated in a BMW M4 on the R102 near the Southgate and Broadlands intersection with his son when a suspect got out of a white Toyota Etios and fired five shots through the opened window at close range toward the victim.
The father of two, who was shot in the head and chest, had to be airlifted to hospital. He survived the shooting. His son was unharmed.
Working on tip-offs, police arrested Yasseen Essop, 35, Klinsmann Ryne Naidoo, 27, and Manuel Naidoo, 30, in Mount Edgecombe and Phoenix, between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
They were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
They appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
According to the police source the hit was linked to a car and other items valued at over R200 000 that were taken from Pillay that could not be paid for.
During the arrests Manuel was found in possession of guns.
During the court proceedings the State prosecutor Atayla Govender said they would oppose bail.
Govender told the court that the investigating officer had tracked down one more suspect, who is currently in Westville Prison awaiting trial for another crime.
The attorneys representing the accused told the court that the men had been assaulted by police during their arrests.
Pillay’s relative, who did not want to be named, said: “We are overwhelmed and grateful for the good work done by the police. We are hoping for long-term imprisonment for the accused.”
The relative said Pillay was recovering well but his son was still traumatised by the incident.
Both matters have been adjourned for bail hearings.