Durban — Police have made a breakthrough in the Effingham murder case that left two men dead last month, when they arrested a suspect.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Operation Qondisa, led by members of the Provincial Investigations and Tracking Task Team and officers from Rapid Rail Police Unit, closed in on Siphamandla Gumede, 29, who was on the police wanted list for a double murder and attempted murder at Effingham Road in Greenwood Park on November 21.
Netshiunda said Gumede allegedly shot and killed two men aged 40 and 50 in cold blood and fled from the scene.
“With police hot on his heels, Gumede ran out of breathing space and handed himself over to the police in the presence of his legal representative and three other men at the Amanzimtoti police station on December 14.
“The astute police officers searched the vehicle in which the men were travelling in and found them to be in illegal possession of two firearms and ammunition. A further search at the men’s business premises led to the recovery of an R5 rifle and ammunition. They were also arrested and charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition,” Netshiunda said.
He said Bhekamashazi Nzuza, 29, Siyabonga Sithole, 32, and Sthembiso Mayeza, 35, appeared at the Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court on December 15, and were granted a bail of R3 000 each. Gumede was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court on the same date.
He will return to court on December 22.
Last month, Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said Emer-G-Med paramedics responded to the scene of a shooting incident on Effingham Road.
“On arrival at the scene, a silver Lexus was found peppered with high-calibre bullet holes,” Van Reenen said.
“Two adult males were found seated in the vehicle. Closer inspection found them to have sustained fatal injuries and they were declared dead on arrival of paramedics.”
Daily News