SHOCK: A traumatised Saleem Khan is comforted by family and friends at the scene. SHOCK: A traumatised Saleem Khan is comforted by family and friends at the scene.
DURBAN - THE Hawks are ready to arrest several suspects who are behind the parcel bomb which maimed a Durban family two weeks ago.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the suspects had been identified and would be arrested soon. “Our investigations are 90% complete and we are almost done with connecting the dots. We are working around the clock to get to the kingpin behind this professional bomb making.
“That is our concern. Durban has a bomb maker in its midst and that is a very big concern for us, beyond the crime investigation which we are pursuing. This bomb was not amateur, it was professional and organised, and that is what we are trying to stop. We are almost there, we have identified some locations and suspects. We are busy finalising our investigations and cannot confirm anything more than that at this stage,” said Mulaudzi.
Three members of the Khan family were left in a serious or critical condition when a bomb disguised in a package with flowers exploded after being delivered to their home.
The suspected target was 47-year-old insurance businessman, Saleem Khan. However, he was not home at the time.
The package, delivered by a courier company, was opened by his 22-year-old son Zakaria, who has since undergone five brain surgeries.
Khan’s elderly mother and daughter-in-law were also injured but are said to be recovering in hospital.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Khan said he suspects the incident was ‘business related’.
“Yes, I believe this was business related, even though there is nobody we have harmed in our line of business, ever.
“But, I do suspect someone who used to be very close to the family. He was like a brother to me and would often sleep over. Since the incident we have not heard from him which has raised our suspicions,” said Khan.
“As a family we are still shaken by what has happened, but we are trying to be strong and keep our faith in a situation like this. I don’t want this to happen to anyone so hope that the police make arrests very soon,” he said.
Khan said he was still scarred by the incident.
“No father must witness what I have to witness, which is coming home to finding my family ripped apart by a bomb.
“My son was in a coma, he has only just come out of yet another surgery. His voice is slurred, our lives have changed forever. Nothing will be the same after this but I have to be brave for the sake of my family,” he said.
Khan said he wanted to face the person who attacked his family and said the police must act.
“I want to face the person who did this and will not give up until that happens. The law must take its course and I am going to be there all the way until that happens.”