Information from community members coupled by police investigations and swift response, has resulted in the arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in the mass murder of ten family members, ambushed and killed in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal during the early hours of Friday morning.
The shocking family murder prompted Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the top management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) led by National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola to descend on the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Police reports reveal that in the early hours of Friday 21 April 2023, armed men entered a house located in iMbali township in Pietermaritzburg.
During the ambush, ten members of the same family were fatally wounded, the youngest of the victims was a 13-year-old boy.
Hours after the attack at the family home, a police manhunt ensued for the suspects responsible for the deadly shooting.
Police officers acted with agility on their intelligence, coupled with information from the community on the possible whereabouts of some of those responsible for the heinous crime. Less than two kilometres away, a shootout ensued when police confronted four men participating in a ‘cleansing ceremony’ conducted by a traditional healer.
Police arrested two of the four suspects, one is under police guard in hospital after sustaining injuries during the shootout with police.
One suspect escaped while another was fatally shot; a criminal linked to numerous other crimes in the area and has been sought after by police.
Three firearms were also found at the scene.
The Police Ministry wishes to commend the swift work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who have made the arrests bringing much needed assurance and some comfort to the community that has been left shocked and traumatised by the brutal killings. It is on this score that the Ministry also urges more communities to work with police by coming forward with any information that can assist in apprehending individuals or gangs who are hell-bent on terrorising communities through acts of criminality.
Read: 10 Family members gunned down in their home, Pietermaritzburg
