By Celani Sikhakhane
A stock theft syndicate is suspected to be behind the massacre of the Ndaba and Mazibuko families in Escourt, KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that the arrested men are believed to have been involved in several stock theft and murder cases.
He said the police investigation resulted in the arrest of five suspects who are linked to a mass shooting incident at Nyezane in Amangwe on Sunday, 27 October.
“Five people were shot and killed whilst the sixth one was shot and injured during the incident,” Netshiunda said.
On Monday afternoon, an operation led by Crime Intelligence and Operation Vala Umgodi officers uncovered the suspects’ hideaway at Acaciaville in Ladysmith. Five men found hiding in a room were arrested.
They were found in possession of two AK-47 assault rifles with 115 rounds of ammunition, two pistols with 12 rounds of ammunition, one .38 special revolver with one round of ammunition. A vehicle they used as a getaway from the crime scene was also recovered.
One of the recovered firearms belonged to a man who was killed during the Sunday mass shooting. Investigations also led the police to a house at Ezakheni where another firearm was recovered. The recovered firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to ascertain if they are linked to other crimes in and around the province.
Netshiunda said the five suspects, aged between 23 and 46, will appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They will then be taken to Estcourt to face multiple murder charges.
The sixth suspect, a 28-year-old who was arrested on Sunday, appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder.
The Mazibuko and Ndaba massacre shocked the nation.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the families on Tuesday to offer condolences.
The murder happened on Sunday during a traditional ceremony when a group of men stormed the event and opened fire on the families.
Those who died are said to be members of an anti-stock theft organisation that was fighting crime in the area.
Pictured above: KZN Premier Thami Ntuli and SAPS KZN generals visited the Ndaba and Mazibuko families after the Sunday massacre.
Image source: Zandile Shange/Premier’s Office
