“Anyone who disregards the law and does as he or she pleases will face the might of the law.”

The warning from Brigadier Themba Maduna, the Kagiso Police station commander followed the arrest of at least three people from the same family connected to the murder of a Rietvallei man during the festive season.

According to Captain Solomon Sibiya, the Kagiso Police spokesperson, the murder took place on Christmas Day, 25 December.

He said at about 10am, the victim went to look for his ex-girlfriend – who is one of the suspects’ daughters. When the man arrived at his ex-girlfriend’s house he knocked on the door and the family attacked him with unknown heavy, sharp objects.

“The victim was then rushed to hospital in a critical condition,” Sibiya said.

The police launched an investigation that eventually led to the arrest of a 34-year-old woman, the ex-girlfriend’s sister on Thursday, 7 January.

“In a space of two days two more suspects were put behind bars.”

On Sunday, 10 January, a 56-year-old woman, who is the mother of the ex-girlfriend, and her 19-year-old son were also arrested.

Sibiya said the motive for the killing is still being investigated by the Kagiso Police detectives but that all three suspects had appeared in the Kagiso Magistrates’ Court on murder charges.

“They were remanded in custody for further police investigations.”