Aman Giyanshwar Roopsingh died after he was attacked on his farm in Shakaskraal on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
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AFTER months of evading capture, a 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of North Coast farmer Aman Giyanshwar Roopsingh, as community efforts and police investigations culminate in a significant breakthrough.
The suspect is part of a gang that has been terrorising North Coast farmers.
Roopsingh, 52, of Riet Valley, his mother and his 77-year-old uncle were inside the house when they were confronted by an intruder wearing a balaclava on January 30, at the family's sugarcane farm near Shakaskraal.
Roopsingh succumbed to his injuries while his uncle, who suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack, had survived.
The suspect was arrested with five others, who are believed to be a part of a gang that had been terrorising the North Coast farming community for several months.
All six suspects appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court last week.
The suspect linked to Roopsingh’s murder was remanded into police custody until his formal bail application.
“Umhlali police have arrested six suspects who evaded arrest after shooting at the police on March 28. The suspects, who were wanted for serious crimes such as murder, house and business robberies, were traced and cornered at Shayamoya area within the Umhlali policing precinct on April 12,” said KZN police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza.
He said the suspects, who were targeting victims in Shayamoya, Nkobongo, Riet Valley and Itete, were profiled by police after they were linked to numerous crimes within the Umhlali area.
“During the shootout in March, three suspects were arrested. One of the six suspects was wanted for the murder of a 52-year-old farmer who was robbed and killed at his home in Riet Valley.
“The victim’s uncle was brutally stabbed during the incident. The suspects, who are aged between 20 and 25 years old, have appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court.
“Three suspects were remanded in custody while the other three suspects were released on bail. Police will continue to investigate to ascertain if the suspects are linked to other cases within the Ilembe District Policing Precinct.
Community leader and ward councillor for Riet Valley and Shakaskraal areas, Gaddafi Govender, said the community had played a vital role in the arrest of the suspects.
“The community, who have had enough of living in fear of this gang, have worked with police and gave them information which led to the arrest.
“We are hoping that the suspect remains in police custody until his sentencing. We are grateful to the police for their hard work and their persistence in catching this gang,” Govender added.