Witness identifies man accused of killing senior traffic cop

A KEY witness has identified Philakahle Hloniphani Dladla as the man who hijacked a taxi, robbed passengers at gunpoint, and allegedly shot Senior Superintendent Mariemuthoo Desmond Arumugam multiple times when he stopped to investigate.

- NADIA KHAN

The murder trial began at the Durban High Court on Monday, with Dladla pleading not guilty to all charges.

He is accused of shooting Arumugam, 50, of Tongaat, who was employed at the KwaDukuza Municipality’s traffic department.

Arumugam was shot multiple times when he stopped to investigate a taxi which stopped in the middle of the road, on the N2 near the Groutville off-ramp, on November 4 last year.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Dladla, who was allegedly seated at the front of the taxi — next to the driver, was traced and arrested in Melmoth on November 11. A prohibited firearm and ammunition were recovered during his arrest.

At the start of the trial, he pleaded not guilty to all charges which included two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

He said he intended to prove that he was not present at the time.