Two held for KZN cop’s murder
|Published
Durban - Two men have been arrested after police officer Ajith Krishanlal was shot dead and his partner Jerome Mngome was critically wounded in a robbery in New Germany, Durban, police have confirmed
Colonel Vincent Mdunge said one of the suspects was arrested in uMlazi and another in Pinetown on Wednesday. A third robber was shot and killed at the scene of the attack last Friday.
Police were informed that three armed men had entered a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and were demanding money and cellphones from employees and patrons.
Krishanlal and Mngome were driving past to buy dinner when they witnessed the robbery, confronted the men and a shootout ensued. Two of the robbers managed to escape after wounding the officers, but were arrested on Wednesday.
“The injured police officers were rushed to hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead,” said Mdunge.
Krishanlal was shot eight times in the chest and stomach.
One of the arrested men had gunshot wounds thought to have been sustained during the shootout.
A firearm was found at the scene of the attack while another, believed to have been used in the incident, was confiscated from the arrested men.
Police also found the vehicle believed to have been the getaway car.
The two suspects, aged 23 and 46, will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of robbery, murder and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, a family spokesman for the slain officer has told IOL about the moments leading up to Krishanlal’s death.
Yan Govender said a KFC staff member told him that after she explained to one of the gunmen that she could not access the cashbox,he had pointed his firearm at her.
“He asked her why she wanted to protect the white man’s money and why she wanted to leave her children as orphans.”
Govender said it was then that Krishanlal and Mngome stormed the store and the gunmen turned around and opened fire on the officers.
“It’s difficult (to accept) that even though the police have caught these [suspects] that it will help heal the wounds that are here for our family.
“They (the Krishanlal’s) were a close-knit family and celebrated his birthday just two weeks ago... It’s left a huge void.
“He started off in the force 20-odd years ago. He was so passionate about law and justice and he would be so proud of his peers for arresting these men. The investigating officers and his colleagues need to know that,” Govender said.
It’s expected that friends and family of the police officers will attend the suspects’ court hearing.
Govender said many family members either served or serve in the police force and there was a “vested interest” in them seeing justice served. - IOL and Sapa
Benita.Enoch@inl.co.za or @BENiTAsays on Twitter