Relative in dock for businessman's murder

A close relative of a Pietermaritzburg businessman is charged with being the mastermind behind his murder.

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Durban - A close relative of popular Pietermaritzburg businessman Ashraf Tajoodeen was due to appear in the city’s magistrate’s court on Wednesday charged with being the mastermind behind his murder.

The relative, whose identity is known to the Daily News, cannot be identified until he has appeared in court.

Tajoodeen’s family, friends, neighbours, business associates and the local community at large have been left reeling following the arrest.

Police arrested the 25-year-old after receiving a tip-off that he was implicated in the gruesome murder of Tajoodeen, who was the owner of Lee’s Auto Sales.

According to police sources, the relative was taken in for questioning and eventually confessed to orchestrating the killing.

He allegedly made a confession before a magistrate on Monday.

Three other suspects, including the family’s domestic worker, were also arrested.

They will appear in court alongside the alleged mastermind.

Two weeks ago, Tajoodeen arrived at his James-Niven Road home in Scottsville and was attacked by two assailants in what police now believe to have been a staged robbery.

It appeared he put up a courageous fight against his two attackers, but was eventually overpowered and then murdered.

He was stabbed and his throat was slit. The attackers tied up the family’s domestic worker and gagged her.

However, according to the police source, Tajoodeen’s relative implicated the domestic worker in the murder, alleging that she recruited the attackers.

The motive for the murder was believed to be a family dispute.

The Daily News established that Tajoodeen’s wife passed away several years ago. He is survived by two children.

The relative and domestic worker face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, while the alleged hitmen will be charged with murder.

sherlissa.peters@inl.co.za

Daily News