KZN man convicted for 2024 murder of traffic officer sentenced to life imprisonment

The Kwazulu-Natal man convicted for the 2024 murder of a traffic officer in Groutville has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Officer Mariemuthoo Arumugam was shot and killed while performing his duties on the N2 highway.

Philakahle Dladla was nabbed six days after the murder and was convicted in November 2025.

The Durban High Court handed down the sentence on Thursday.

Arumugam had stopped to inspect a long-distance minibus taxi from Stanger to Durban that parked wrongfully on the highway.

Little did he know that inside, Dladla was holding passengers hostage and robbed them off their cellphones and money.

The officer was shot as he approached the taxi and later succumbed to the gunshot wounds.

Witnesses who were on board the taxi on the day of the incident testified in this regard.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that the prosecution is pleased with the sentencing.

“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. The accused in this matter displayed no regard for the lives and safety of others. We hope that the sentences imposed serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals.”

Dladla was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.