Umlazi mass shooting: Suspect arrested at a Durban mall

A suspect was arrested at a shopping mall in Durban in connection with the mass shooting in Umlazi, Q Section over the weekend. 

A 72-hour mobilisation of maximum resources which was activated shortly after seven people were shot and fatally wounded. 

ALSO READ: Mythbusters: Does SAPS need a search warrant?

SUSPECT IN UMLAZI MASS SHOOTING ARRESTED 

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect was arrested on Sunday, 13 August 2023. 

Netshiunda said a multi-disciplinary team comprising officers from the Serious and Violent Crimes Murder and Robbery Unit, Provincial Stabilization Team, Phoenix Trio Task Team and Crime Intelligence, operationalised intelligence and followed leads in Umbumbulu, Umlazi, Empandwini and Pitela areas. 

ALSO READ: DA calls for arrests in Umlazi mass shooting

“The identified suspect was cornered and arrested at a mall in Durban. He is expected to make his first court appearance at the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 15 August 2023. He will face seven charges of murder and one of attempted murder,” he said. 

Netshiunda said a search for the remaining suspects continues.   

ALSO READ: JUST IN: Four killed in Port Shepstone taxi rank mass shooting

BACKGROUND ON THE MASS MURDER

As previously reported by The South African, four suspects allegedly stormed into a house just before midnight and shot two people who were inside the house, one person was shot inside a backroom whilst the fourth person was shot next to the outside toilet. He was also found with burn wounds. 

Police said the same suspects reportedly proceeded to an informal settlement which is just few metres away from the first scene and shot three people inside a shack. Two were certified dead at the scene and the other was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. 

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that one of the suspects, who was leading the other three, demanded his identity document from the victims before shooting them. It is believed that he was implicated and is wanted by police for another murder in which he allegedly dropped his identity document accidentally, and reports indicate that he believed that one of the deceased were in possession of his identity document,” Netshiunda said.

ALSO READ: Seven shot dead at Umlazi’s notorious Glebelands Hostel