Durban - An alleged Glebelands hitman has been arrested for the murder of two hostel residents last year.
Police said Thobani Kwazikwakhe Mahobo , 35, also known as Laqhasha, was arrested while hiding in Lamontville.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said Mahobo had appeared before the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder and was remanded in custody until February 22.
She said it was alleged that on November 15, Mahobo shot Anele Chutshane and Phumlani Ntozakhe while they were leaving their room at Glebelands Hostel.
The victims, both 27, were declared dead at the scene.
Mbele said Mahobo also has a pending assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case against him for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
She said both cases were transferred to the police’s provincial organised crime unit for further investigation.
“The accused will further be profiled to determine whether he is linked to other serious crimes committed within the province.”
In a separate operation, a gang of nine hijackers was arrested for a spate of hijackings in Manguzi and its surrounding areas in northern KZN.
The operation was conducted by police officers from the tactical response team, who traced the suspects in the early hours of Friday morning in the Umgodiwemvubu area of Manguzi.
Mbele said this followed an outcry from residents in the uMkhanyakude District who said the gang, including two women, was terrorising the community.
She said the gang was robbing people in KZN and other provinces.
Police said the suspects’ modus operandi was to hijack residents after they had performed certain jobs at their places of residence in the Emanguzi area.
The operation yielded positive results when nine suspects, including two women between the ages 19 and 26, were arrested, she said.
Mbele said three of the suspects were foreign nationals.
Four cellphones, motor vehicle speakers and building tools were recovered during the operation.
“All the suspects will be profiled to determine whether they are involved in other hijacking incidents committed in the uMkhanyakude District and its surrounding area,” said Mbele.
They are expected to appear in the Manguzi Magistrate’s Court today.
The Mercury