KZN cops arrest violent Glebelands Hostel’s ‘most-wanted’

DURBAN police on Tuesday morning claimed a victory in the fight against escalating violence at the city's notorious Glebelands Hostel following the arrest of one of a man believed to be involved in a string of murders and attempted murders.

Describing the 27-year-old as one of the hostel's “most-wanted” criminals, KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said the arrest was made on Sunday following an intelligence-driven operation.

The man was linked to three murders and six attempted murders in the hostel precinct – and Naicker said it was being probed as to whether or not he was involved in other crimes.

"Cases that he is suspected to be involved in include the attack on three people, including a 48-year-old woman, who were shot while they were…having drinks on 25 March 2016 at 1.30am," said Naicker.

“On the same day, another man was found dead with multiple injuries all over his body. The next day, at 2pm, Lucky Dlamini, 28, and other men were shot at, resulting in Dlamini being fatally wounded while his colleagues…sustained gunshot wounds.”

The man, who has not been named, will appear in the Umlazi Magistrates Court.

Since April 2014, 62 people have been killed at Glebelands hostel.

Residents last month called for the United Nations Human Rights Commission to intervene in the situation, which is also being probed by public protector Thuli Madonsela.

The most recent victim was activist and African National Congress councillor Zodwa Sibiya, who was shot in cold blood at her room at the hostel.