Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested six suspects believed to be behind attacks and murders at Durban’s Glebelands hostel. The suspects which include a police officer based at the Durban Central Police Station were apprehended during raids.
Their arrests follow lengthy surveillance of the suspects by multiple police units.
About 100 people have been killed at Umlazi’s Glebelands hostel since 2014.
However, police have been severely criticised for the lack of arrests and convictions in connection with the violence.
In 2015, former Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela launched an investigation into ongoing violence at the hostel. In her report, she accused the police and the eThekwini Municipality of failing hostel residents.
Recently a satellite police station was opened at the hostel in an effort to find those behind the violence.
On Wednesday morning, members from various police units conducted co-ordinated predawn raids at Harding and Glebelands Hostel for wanted suspects.
“A 29-year-old suspect was arrested in Harding; a 45-year-old suspect was arrested in Block 51 at Glebelands hostel, and a 34-year-old suspect was arrested at Block 42 at the hostel. During the search of the room at Block 42. We recovered or seized a police cap, two police reflector jackets, a state issued laptop, as well as a number of internal police documents. Then the team proceeded to the Durban Central Police Station where we arrested a 37-year-old police officer who is also linked to the shootings at the Glebelands hostel,” said Police Spokesperson Jay Naicker.
A fifth suspect, aged 28, was arrested on Thursday at the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court.
Naicker says the suspect is already facing a charge for murder that he allegedly committed in the same hostel.
“The suspect was previously arrested for a murder at the Glebelands Hostel and was granted bail at court. He was arrested following his appearance at court as a warrant was issued for his arrest on an attempted murder case,” he said.
During the Moerane Commission hearings which is investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, police were accused of dragging their feet in arresting perpetrators. However, Naicker says the arrests will send a strong message that police involved in criminal activities will not be tolerated.
“If information is brought to us and there is evidence, we will arrest anybody and allegations of a police officer involved were brought to our attention. Unfortunately, in all of these investigations, we encountered a number of obstacles. In some cases, there were reluctant witnesses; some of the witnesses had fled and were missing, could not be found. Some witnesses were also killed and then also the fact that a lot of information was being discussed in various public platforms. So, it became a stumbling block for the police investigation to recapture suspect once they have heard of police.”
The sixth suspect was located at Bizana Prison in the Eastern Cape where he was being held for an unrelated attempted murder case.
A team from Durban arrested him in connection with the Glebelands attack on Thursday morning.
The suspects are all due in court soon.
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