Eastern Cape police have arrested four suspects for the murder of seven family members in Bityi, Tantseka location on the 16th of November 2022.
Earlier this month gunmen forced their way in a homestead in Tantseka location and started opening fire killing six people while the seventh one died in hospital. The family was busy arranging a funeral for their relative Novotile Mgxada (62), who had been fatally shot the previous week.
Eastern Cape Provincial Police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said that on Monday investigators learned that two suspects were due to appear in court in Bityi on charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Brigadier Kinana said that one suspect led police to the other suspects who were in Slovo Park where the shootout incident happened.
“During the shootout incident two suspects were injured and they were taken to the nearby hospital for medical attention. One suspect was arrested in the incident,” said Brigadier Kinana.
The police have confiscated four firearms and a toy gun, and sent them for ballistic testing.
Provincial Commissioner Luitenent General Nomthetheleli Mene, has commended the investigating team for the breakingthrough in the case.
All four suspects are between the ages of 24 and 28, and they are expected to appear in Bityi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 30 November on charges of murder.
Brigadier Kinana said the investigation still continues to establish the motive for the killings.
