Verulam police investigate murder of 51-year-old man in suspected hit
Image: Supplied
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.
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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
The 51-year-old victim was travelling with two passengers.
Image: Supplied
A 51-year-old man was murdered while travelling with two passengers.
Image: Supplied
A blue Hyundai i10 with multiple bullet holes.
Image: Supplied
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A blue Hyundai i10 with multiple bullet holes, the scene of a tragic shooting incident in Verulam, where a 51-year-old man was murdered while travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 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. The 51-year-old victim was travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied A 51-year-old man was murdered while travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied A blue Hyundai i10 with multiple bullet holes. Image: Supplied
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