Cop deaths – 4 suspects arrested

FOUR men suspected of killing two Durban metro police officers and robbing them of their firearms in Phoenix have been arrested.

EThekwini Municipality welcomed the arrests yesterday.

Deputy mayor Fawzia Peer said the city commended the law enforcement agencies for moving swiftly and arresting the suspects barely three days after the murders.

The suspects were arrested yesterday morning in KwaMashu. The fourth suspect was shot after exchanging gunfire with the police. He is under a strong police guard in one of the city’s hospitals.

On Monday, Seargent Fana Dladla and Sonto Mhlanga were guarding the residence of eThekwini councillor Boxer Zulu in Bhambayi near Phoenix when they were shot.

Peer said they were asking the police to gather all evidence that would help to secure convictions.

“We are very proud of the good work that police have done. I hope this case is dealt with expeditiously and that the police remove the murderers from our communities and put them where they belong. I have said before that killing a police officer is tantamount to high treason.

“People who are doing that do not belong in our society, but in prison. I hope our courts will send a clear message to would-be police killers that taking the life of a police officer, and other citizens in general, will not be tolerated in this country,” said Peer.

The police also recovered a firearm belonging to one of the deceased officers. |

“Killing a police officer is tantamount to high treason Fawzia Peer ETHEKWINI DEPUTY MAYOR