Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Six suspects - two of them women - have been arrested for the murder of a Durban University of Technology.

Professor Samuel Jotham Zondi, 72, was found dead in his flat at the weekend.

He was staying in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, but had his family home in KwaMashu.

Police spokesman Superintendent Hendry Budhram said the suspects were arrested yesterday in Hammarsdale, near Durban.

He said they are expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg magistrate's court tomorrow on charges of murder.

"The motive appears to be robbery, but investigations are continuing," Budhram said.

Zondi was a retired commerce professor but lectured part-time at the Pietermaritzburg campus of the university.

Police said the family became worried when Zondi, pictured, had not called home for about two days as he usually did.

Family members drove to Pietermaritzburg after a Durban shop assistant alerted them about unknown men having used Zondi's credit card on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The assistant had called Zondi's wife informing her about the men using her husband's credit card.

"The family drove to his flat but found it locked. His cellphone was on continuous voice mail," Budhram said.

A locksmith was called to open the flat.

The family said they found Zondi on the floor of one of the bedrooms with his upper body partially burnt .

Terry, his son, said the family would wait for the post mortem results before making funeral arrangements.