A gunman accused of taking part in the execution-style shooting of a taxi owner outside his Richards Bay home has been arrested, while KwaZulu-Natal police say they are closing in on two other suspects linked to the murder.
Sphamandla Mdlalose, 30, appeared in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, after detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Taxi Violence Unit linked him to the fatal shooting in Meerensee on September 15.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the taxi owner was outside his yard when three men allegedly arrived in a white Hyundai Atos and opened fire.
“The victim managed to fire some shots at the suspects before succumbing to gunshot wounds at the scene. One suspect was shot and injured on the leg,” Netshiunda said.
Hired vehicle leads police to alleged gunman
Netshiunda said detectives traced the vehicle allegedly used in the killing and established that it had been hired.
The investigation led police to KwaMashu, where two men were taken in for questioning on September 29, before being released.
Detectives later tracked Mdlalose to the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where he was appearing in connection with a separate matter.
Netshiunda said Mdlalose was allegedly the person who hired the vehicle used in the attack.
“He was arrested and investigations led police to his residence at Ntambanana. It was also established that he was part of the three suspects who shot the taxi owner,” Netshiunda said.
Police trace wounded suspect’s movements
The investigation gathered further momentum on Wednesday when detectives followed leads to Empangeni, where another man was arrested for allegedly assisting the suspect who had been wounded during the shooting.
Netshiunda said investigators established that the man had allegedly transported the injured suspect to a traditional healer before later taking him to a hospital in Mooi River.
“On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, investigations directed police to Empangeni where they found a man who allegedly took the injured suspect to a traditional healer before he transported him to a hospital in Mooi River,” Netshiunda said.
“He was arrested and the vehicle which was used to transport the suspect was seized.”
Manhunt for two suspects intensifies
Netshiunda said detectives had identified two other suspects allegedly linked to the murder and were actively pursuing them.
“Police are hot on the heels of the two suspects who were at the murder scene. Their identities are known and police are closing in on them,” Netshiunda said.
Mdlalose was remanded in custody following his appearance in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
He is expected to return to court on October 7, for bail consideration.
IOL News
