Suspect confesses to shooting city businessman

Road rage appears to be the reason behind the murder of city businessman Gary Moodley (62), after one of the three suspects arrested, confessed to shooting Moodley.

Three suspects were arrested for Moodley's murder on Monday, exactly a week after Moodley was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to his chest, on the road outside Invesco Centre last Monday.

The arrests, made in the Pietermaritzburg CBD, followed after a combined operation by crime intelligence, Mountain Rise K9 Unit, Loop Street Police Station detectives and RZS Security.

According to a source close to the investigation, after the arrests, one of the suspects reportedly confessed to shooting Moodley, following an alleged altercation over the deceased's vehicle colliding with the suspect's.

“There was no motive. There was an altercation with four suspects, over the how the deceased was going to repair the car. One of the suspects jumped into the vehicle of the deceased, and that is when the suspect shot the deceased from the passenger's seat.

“The deceased did not resist, and was in the process of negotiating with the suspects, saying that he will pay for the damages. He was explaining that it was already morning and they could do something later. The suspect said he only realised what happened after the shot went off," said the source.

Director of RZS Protection Radley Govender, whose team provides security to the Invesco Centre, said on hearing the gun shot, the guards on duty ran towards the direction of the shot.

“My guards were the first on the scene. It was around 2am, the time when the clubs in the vicinity close. The roads were a bit busy, as people were going home.

“My guards had noticed a stationary grey vehicle on the road. The gates were closed. Then, suddenly, they heard gunshots. They ran towards the direction to see what happened and saw a couple of suspects running towards a getaway vehicle.

“This is the first time in the last four years that an incident like this has occurred. It is usually a safe area," said Govender.

The getaway vehicle, a Ford Fiesta was recovered and the suspect was taken to point out the location of the hidden firearm.

Moodley's son-in-law, who asked not to be named, said the family was happy about the prompt arrests, and hopes this will be the first step towards justice for his brother-in-law. “We commend the Saps for their investigation and making arrests so soon. We hope justice will be served,” he said.

Moodley (62) was well known among the Pietermaritzburg community as the former co-owner of Jonathon's Spar on Longmarket Street, and was described as a 'kind man' who gave generously to various charities and outreach causes.

Shammy Govender, of Assist Me Now, remembered Moodley as someone who always put his community first.

“He was always ready to assist us with whatever donations we needed, in all areas of aid, throughout the city. When we contacted him he would always assist us. He provided us with lots of bread, especially when he was with Spar,” Govender said.

Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile

Gwala confirmed the arrest of the three men. "We can confirm three suspects aged between 25 and

32 were arrested yesterday. They are expected to appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday),” said Gwala.