Life sentence for N2 traffic cop killer brings 'bittersweet closure' to Durban family

SENIOR Superintendent Mariemuthoo Desmond Arumugam was gunned down while investigating a stationary taxi.

His killer has received life imprisonment, but for his family, justice doesn't erase their pain.

“We will never get our brother back.  It was a bittersweet moment,” said his brother.

Desmond, 50, of Tongaat, was employed at the KwaDukuza Municipality’s traffic department. 

The father of three was shot multiple times while investigating a stationary taxi on the N2 Groutville off-ramp, on November 4, 2024. 

Philakahle Hloniphani Dladla, 26, who was arrested shortly after, was found guilty of murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition in the Durban High Court in November last year. . 

On Thursday (yesterday), he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. 

He was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently. 

He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Speaking to the POST, Arumugam's eldest brother, Bazil Arumugam, said while they have closure and justice has been served, the pain of their loss still felt fresh. 

“Our family is still not able to cope with our, he was our baby brother. His children are still struggling to deal with his death, and our elderly mother still looks for him. Every day she asks for her son, and when he is coming home. His death has left a deep void in our lives.”

Arumugam, a retired police officer, added that the sentence handed down also was not sufficient.

“The other sentences should not have run concurrently with life imprisonment, as he may come out after a couple years after serving a certain amount of time, and go on with his life. We will never get our brother back, so he should also never get to live his life again. 

“I also believe the we needed stronger punishment in South Africa, such as the death penalty for people who commit serious crimes such as murder and rape, which will serve as a deterrent. Nowadays, criminals know they are only going to serve a few years, and then be back out into society. It ends up being a repeated cycle, and that must end. 

"However, we are grateful to the investigating officer and prosecutor, who worked hard to ensure justice for my brother and closure for our family,” he said. 

During the trial, State advocate Rakesh Singh, said Dladla, who was a passenger in a minibus taxi, had planned to rob the driver and the passengers of their cash and cellphones. 

He said 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. 

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

Singh said Dladla instructed the driver to stop on the Groutville off-ramp. 

“He then produced a firearm and robbed the driver of an amount of R1 000.”

Dladla then robbed the passengers at gunpoint. 

The second complainant handed over R70 and a cellphone. Singh said during the robbery, Arumugam who was dressed in full regulation uniform and driving a white Toyota Fortuner, arrived on the scene to investigate the stationery taxi. 

He said Dladla turned his firearm on Arumugam and shot at him through the driver’s side window. 

After the driver of the taxi managed to escape, Dladla then drove the taxi to a nearby township and fled on foot. 

During the trial, several State witnesses gave evidence including the taxi driver, passengers and ballistics expert. 

Dladla, who pleaded not guilty, testified that on the day of the incident he was at his home.

THE POST