Verulam police investigate murder of 51-year-old man in suspected hit
Verulam police are investigating the murder of a 51-year-old man who was gunned down in his vehicle while travelling to his home in the Mhlasini area in a suspected hit on Thursday.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said the man was travelling to his residence with two passengers.
Balram said that at approximately 6.51pm, the Rusa operations centre received multiple calls for assistance after gunmen opened fire on a blue Hyundai i10 at the corner of Hazelmere Drive and Quarry Road in Redcliffe.
When reaction officers and Rusa paramedics arrived at the scene, they discovered the driver of the vehicle slumped in his seat.
“He was shot multiple times and died before first responders arrived,” he said.
According to Balram, the deceased’s 32-year-old girlfriend and his work colleague were in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
“The female sustained a gunshot wound to her buttocks, and the male was grazed by a bullet on his back.”
He said it was established that three men who were standing on the side of the road suddenly opened fire on the vehicle.
“Both passengers disembarked and fled. The gunmen continued shooting at the driver as they walked towards the car. They thereafter fled on foot in an unknown direction,” said Balram.
Balram added that 13 spent 9mm cartridges were recovered at the scene.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the motive for the killing is unknown.
“Verulam police have opened a case of murder and two of attempted murder following an incident in which three people were allegedly attacked while in the vehicle on 3 July 2025,” she said.
Ngcobo said it was reported that the victims were ambushed by unknown people while driving.
“The suspects opened fire, fatally wounding a 51-year-old man and injuring two victims, who were taken to hospital for medical attention,” she confirmed.
According to Balram, the deceased man is believed to be an employee of eThekwini Municipality. When approached for confirmation, municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana referred queries related to criminal matters to the SAPS.
“The municipality does not have the authority to investigate murder incidents because this is the mandate of the South African Police Services, and we will therefore not be able to comment or confirm any information,” she said.
karen.singh@inl.co.za