Police arrested a fourth suspect in Durban yesterday (June 23) in connection with the murders of seven members of the Monswamy family.

The North Coast Courier reports that, according to iLembe police spokesperson Priya Nunkumar, the 24-year-old suspect had been on the run since the April 21 murders in Newark, KwaDukuza.

She said the suspect has been charged with kidnapping, house robbery and murder and is expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court.

Co-accused remain in custody

The arrest comes after three co-accused: Bongumenzi Mpungose (27), Linda Blessing Mthiyane (28) and Mthandeni Luyanda Mthiyane (21), made their second appearance in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where they were remanded in custody.

The trio face charges of housebreaking with intent to rob, robbery with aggravating circumstances, seven counts of murder and seven counts of kidnapping. Mthiyane also faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Victims allegedly abducted before killings

The accused are linked to the deaths of Alan Monswamy (52), his wife Sandy (57), their children Kraidon (26) and Shamaria (20), as well as relatives Gonosagren Padayachee (51), Mooniamma Padayachee (78) and Mariama Happanah (83).

Investigators allege the victims were kidnapped from their Newark home before being transported to Melmoth, where they were murdered.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.