Closure for family as traffic officer's killer sentenced to life

A KwaZulu-Natal family received closure this week when the killer of KwaDukuza traffic officer, Senior Superintendent Arumugam (Desmond) Marimuthoo, was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Durban High Court sentenced Philakahle Dladla, 27, to life imprisonment for the murder of Marimuthoo.

Marimuthoo, 50, a father of three from Tongaat, was killed on November 4, 2024 in Groutville, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

On that fateful morning, Marimuthoo was carrying out his duties when he spotted a mini-bus taxi blocking the road in Groutville. Upon approaching the driver, Marimuthoo learned they were in the midst of a robbery.

Whilst Marimuthoo was reversing his vehicle the suspect fired several shots hitting Marimuthoo and ultimately resulting in his death on the scene.

The suspect, who was later identified as Dladla drove the taxi towards Thembeni township with the passengers inside. He robbed the terrified passengers of their belongings before making his escape on foot.

A case of murder and armed robbery was reported at KwaDukuza police station, leading to an intensive investigation by the Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime.

Within a week, investigators managed to pinpoint Dladla’s whereabouts in Melmoth, where a swift apprehension occurred.

The arrest culminated in Dladla leading police to KwaMashu, where the firearm used in the assassination act was recovered, cementing the case against him.

He was charged accordingly and appeared in court. His bail application was successfully opposed and he was remanded in custody until he was found guilty in November last year.

Dladla was sentenced on Thursday to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for armed robbery of the passengers, another 15 years for armed robbery of the driver, five year imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and five years for possession of ammunition. His sentence will run concurrently.

Marimuthoo's brother, Basil Arumugam said despite the pain and agony they have been suffering since his brother's murder and remands at court, they now have closure to the matter.

"Although the accused got the rightful maximum sentence of life, we know he won't serve the 25 years. He will be out on parole. Nothing will be able to bring my brother back. The family is the ones left suffering. It has been extremely hard on the family. My 88-year-old mother cries for Desmond all the time.

"Whenever a police officer leaves home and says goodbye to his or her family, you don't know if he or she will be coming back home. We have such a high crime rate in the country and criminals have no fear of law enforcement officials," said Arumugam.

Throughout the trial, Dladla displayed no remorse, denying his involvement, even as overwhelming evidence pointed to his guilt.

"All the evidence and witness statements, as well as firearm and ballistics pointed to him, yet he maintained his innocence," said Arumugam.

During the mitigation of sentence proceedings earlier this week, Dladla sought to stop the process and appeal his conviction, denying his presence in the taxi during the robbery and denying that he pulled the trigger.

“I sympathise with the family members with what happened to their relative, although it is not me. When I listen to the evidence, the person had no intention to do what he did, so I sympathise with them,” Dladla said.

During court proceedings on Friday, Dladla’s lawyer, advocate Musa Chiliza from Legal Aid South Africa, informed the court that following consultation, they required the judgment delivered by Acting Judge Vikela Ntlokwana to properly address the issues of the identification parade in their application for leave to appeal.

He said they were looking into transcripts of the judgment day proceeding, stating that once they received these documents, they would be able to proceed with the appeal. A new date for the appeal is expected to be considered around March or early April, once the defence is fully prepared.

Meanwhile, KwaDukuza Municipality Mayor Siduduzo Gumede welcomed Dladla’s sentence, agreeing with Ntlokwana’s view that any act preventing police from protecting the community, resulting in an officer’s death, constitutes an attack on society.

Gumede commended all role players for ensuring justice and bringing closure, stating that the sentence was not only justice for Arumugam’s family, but for all law enforcement agencies.

He pledged continued support for the officer’s family and committed to honouring his memory by strengthening community safety efforts.

“May this verdict serve as a strong warning that violence against those who serve and protect will never go unpunished,” he said.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE