Phoenix SAPS is urging the community to come forth with any factual information regarding the murder and hijacking of a 60-year-old man from Archstone in Whetstone, who was killed outside his home after being accosted by two unknown armed men.
Video footage of the suspects has been circulating throughout social media in hopes of finding the men. Phoenix SAPS communication officer, Constable Carol Mntambo, said a case of murder is currently under investigation.
“It is alleged that on 14 June, at 7.44am, police attended a complaint of a shooting at Whetstone, in Phoenix. It is alleged that the victim, a 60-year-old Indian male, was reversing out of his driveway when he was approached by two unknown African males, who shot the victim in the chest and right side of his neck. They also took his firearm and pulled him out of the vehicle before driving off with the car,” said Cst Mntambo.
She added that police are urging anyone with information to contact 08600 10111 or use the MySAPSApp if they would like to remain anonymous. KZNVIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo, said multiple alerts surfaced on social media requesting immediate assistance just after 7.18am on Friday, 14 June, for someone who was shot and laying on the roadway.
He said: “KZNVIP reaction teams were dispatched to the scene and found an elderly male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and requested immediate medical assistance from a VIP ambulance which arrived shortly after that. Sadly after attempts by medics to stabilise the patient his condition deteriorated and the victim was declared deceased on scene. Two suspects are wanted for the vicious murder. The vehicle taken was a white Toyota Corolla which was shortly recovered abandoned in Inanda Newtown C Area. It is believed as the victim was leaving home to his place of work the suspects approached him and shot the victim before fleeing with the vehicle and other valuables,” said Naidoo.
Phoenix Community Police Forum chairperson (CPF), Mark Nadasen, passed his condolences to the deceased’s family and urged the community to be vigilant of their surroundings.
“Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure that no one is following you home or waiting on the premises of your property if there is an unknown person within your premises contact the relevant role players such as the police. Inform your community crime groups if there is any suspicious behaviour,” said Nadasen.
He added that crime has been escalating in the Phoenix area over the past months
“Residents need to be more vigilant and informative in the groups. Get added to the crime groups so that you are aware of what’s happening around your streets. We are engaging with SAPS to increase patrols to try and decrease the crime rate,” said the CPF chairperson.
Condolences flooded several social media platforms calling for the family to receive justice for the untimely death of the 60-year-old.
Nicole Naicker on Facebook said: “My condolences to the family I don’t even know what they must be going through during this time. To see your loved one leave home and be murdered just outside their home must have been traumatic. I hope the family gets the justice they deserve and the murderers are found and put behind bars for good.”
Leon Munsami said: “It is about time that crimes like such are taken seriously. We are seeing time and time again how innocent people are losing their lives just because some paras and criminals want their easy fix. The police need to stop this they need to see that these crimes are taking over our community. We need criminals to know that they cannot just kill and steal freely as there are consequences.
