Four arrested for Lusikisiki mass murder

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested the four men who were wanted in connection with the Lusikisiki mass murder that claimed the lives of 18 people.

Their arrest follows less than 24 hours after police launched the manhunt of Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma (20), Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa (31), Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende (25) and Lwando ‘Abi’ Shakes (31).

This after another suspect in the murder, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court and abandoned his bail application on Tuesday. His case was postponed to November.

KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the suspects were arrested in Port Shepstone.

"Police received a tip-off from a community member that the wanted suspects were hiding at a rented accommodation at Mkholombe informal settlement in Port Shepstone. A swift operation was put in motion, and the three suspects, aged 22, 24 and 31 years old, were arrested. The operation is ongoing with police searching for a firearm which the suspects allegedly used in the commission of the crime."

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that all suspects were in police custody.

"The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, wishes to thank South Africans from all walks of life for the overwhelming support in providing information… General Fannie Masemola confirms that in less than 24 hours from the time the SAPS issued an alert on the wanted suspects, communities rallied together and informed police of their whereabouts.

“To those who shared the pictures of these suspects on social media, to all the journalists and media houses that played their watchdog role, we are indebted to you. This is what the SAPS can achieve when the whole country rallies behind our men and women in blue. We thank you South Africa for assisting us to stamp the authority of the state”, said Gen Masemola.

Mathe says SAPS will not provide further details.

‘’The SAPS wishes not to divulge where these suspects were found and arrested at this stage as this may jeopardise investigations’’

 

Done by: Mitchum George