Newcastle police are investigating an incident involving an Amajuba Park resident who now lives in fear after an alleged hitman issued death threats and shared footage purportedly showing him committing murders. This case highlights the growing challenges law enforcement faces in tackling serious and organised crime in the region.
According to official police reports, confirmed by Newcastle SAPS Spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam, the incident occurred on 28 May 2025.
As explained by the Newcastle SAPS, the resident, who lives on Krokodil Street in Amajuba Park, Newcastle, received a telephone call from an unidentified male claiming to be a contract killer actively seeking him. Adding to the resident’s fear, Arumugam confirmed that during the call, the suspect sent images and videos allegedly depicting himself committing acts of murder.
Although it cannot be verified whether these images and videos genuinely show the suspect, Arumugam stressed that despite the suspect’s identity remaining unknown, the police are treating the matter with utmost seriousness and are actively investigating to apprehend the perpetrator.
This investigation is taking place amid national concerns regarding a shortage of detectives and resource limitations within the South African Police Service (SAPS), which hinder their ability to address complex criminal cases effectively.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has described the current backlog of cases as “untenable”, noting that the lack of detectives delays investigations and impacts prosecution processes. Furthermore, a November 2024 police briefing revealed that only 15.1% of SAPS members are in detective roles, well below the 20% target.
Furthermore, Major-General Patrick Mbotho has also highlighted a “telecommunications crisis” affecting detectives, with some stations having few operational vehicles and detectives sharing limited mobile phones. This incident underscores the critical need for strong investigative capabilities to ensure public safety and rebuild confidence against such serious threats.
The Amajuba Park incident also sheds light on the widespread problem of contract killings in KwaZulu-Natal. A research report by a senior analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) identifies KwaZulu-Natal as “the home of the hit man armed with an illegal firearm”. The GI-TOC reported that in 2018, KZN accounted for 40% of all assassinations in South Africa, including political killings, taxi-related incidents, and organised crime.
Additionally, former head of the Hawks in KZN, Johan Booysen, has stated that the province is “notoriously known for the availability of assassins,” locally called “Izinkabi”.
He attributes this to a “broken criminal justice system” with low solve rates and failed prosecutions, as well as poor socio-economic conditions that make contract killing appealing. The Moerane Commission of Inquiry, set up by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, noted the prevalence of politically motivated killings since 2011, which surged in 2016, and regretted that there has been “no reduction in the rate of the murder of politicians in KZN”. These insights highlight the entrenched nature of contract killings as a major threat to public safety and stability in the province.
This distressing incident in Amajuba Park is a stark reminder of the severe and complex criminal challenges facing communities in KwaZulu-Natal. It not only highlights the immediate danger from individuals involved in contract killings but also the systemic issues law enforcement agencies face in maintaining public order and delivering justice.
Tackling such deeply rooted criminal activities requires a comprehensive strategy, including improved investigative resources, better allocation of police services, and ongoing efforts to address the socio-economic factors fuelling organised crime. The safety and security of residents rely on a coordinated and effective response from all relevant authorities.
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