Man faces trial for killing traffic officer during taxi robbery

THE man accused of killing Senior Superintendent Mariemuthoo Desmond Arumugam during a taxi robbery last November made his first appearance in the Durban High Court last Thursday.

Philakahle Hloniphani Dladla has been charged with murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

He allegedly shot and killed Arumugam, 50, of Tongaat, who was employed at the KwaDukuza Municipality’s traffic department. 

The father of three was shot when he stopped to investigate a taxi that stopped in the middle of the road, on the N2 near the Groutville off-ramp on November 4 last year. 

Dladla, 26, of KwaMashu, was traced and arrested in Melmoth on November 11. 

A prohibited firearm and ammunition were recovered during his arrest.

According to the indictment, the State, represented by prosecutor Rakesh Singh, alleged that Dladla, who was a passenger in a minibus taxi, had planned to rob the driver and the passengers of their cash and cellphones. 

“He was aware that the execution of this plan could result in violent resistance from the victims or intervention by law enforcement or security personnel, who were likely to be armed. In anticipation of such resistance or the need to facilitate his escape, the accused (Dladla) armed himself with a firearm,” read the court papers. 

The State alleged that on the day of the incident, Dladla boarded a fully-loaded taxi at the KwaDukuza taxi rank and took a seat in the front passenger position. 

According to the indictment, the complainants in the robbery with aggravating circumstances charges were the driver of the taxi and a passenger, who was seated in the second row.

The State alleged that Dladla instructed the driver to take the Groutville off-ramp. 

“He then produced a firearm and robbed the driver of an amount of R1 100. He ordered the driver to bring the vehicle to a stop,” read the court papers. 

The State further alleged that Dladla proceeded to rob passengers at gunpoint. 

The second complainant handed over R70 and a Samsung Galaxy A05 cellphone.

According to the indictment, during the robbery, Arumugam who was dressed in full regulation uniform and driving a white Toyota Fortuner, arrived at the scene to investigate the stationary taxi. 

The State alleged that Dladla turned his firearm on Arumugam and shot him. 

The driver managed to escape from the scene to seek assistance. 

According to the indictment, Dladla allegedly commandeered the taxi with the passengers still inside and later abandoned the vehicle in Thembeni, thereafter fleeing the scene on foot.

Arumugam sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. 

More than 30 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial set down for October.  

Arumugam’s family will hold his one year ceremony at the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple Hall in Tongaat on September 28.

THE POST