The murder investigation of slain Ballito gym instructor Craig Hall has been taken over by the Hawks, who will also look into allegations that he was a drug dealer.
Hall was murdered earlier this month and his body found at the Old Greenfield Service Station.
Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that Hall was shot and not stabbed as previously reported.
Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela confirmed the crack police unit had taken over the investigation at the “request of police management in KwaZulu-Natal”.
“The investigation is still at an early stage and no arrests have been made.
“Allegations about drug dealing have been bandied about and will be looked at.
“I don’t want to go into further details because at this stage they are just rumours.”
Polela said he had sent a request to the head of the Hawks in KZN, Major-General Johan Booysen, to arrange a meeting between the investigating officer and Hall’s family to discuss any issues or queries the family might have.
Hall was allegedly killed after a second-hand car deal went sour.
Earlier reports said that CCTV footage showed Hall walking from the Lockeroom gym where he worked in Ballito, the night before his murder.
He crossed the road to a filling station where witnesses said he climbed into a white bakkie with a tall Indian man.
Zwane said the serious nature of the case and the allegations made prompted its transfer to the Hawks.
The motive was still unknown and no arrests had been made.
Meanwhile, Hall’s mother Roselyn Bega said the family was aware that the investigation had been passed to the Hawks.
“This isn’t a special murder case. Every murder case is serious and needs to be taken seriously by whoever is investigating it.
“We are obviously hoping for arrests soon as a family, to bring closure as we grieve together.”
Sunday Tribune