Dave Yates, who was charged with murder after a shooting spree in July, is dead. Yates (56) died in his holding cell in the Ladysmith Prison this morning, the Dundee SAPS have confirmed.

According to sources, Yates’ cellmate called for assistance, but the murder accused could not be revived. It is believed he suffered a heart attack although this is yet to be confirmed.

Yates was due to undergo psychological analysis, at his own request, at Fort Napier in Pietermaritzburg in November. He never denied responsibility  for the shooting spree which claimed the lives of two foreign nationals – believed to be known drug dealers – and shooting and injuring one other.

The manhunt for Yates on June 21 gripped the town, after police and security officials descended on his Strathmore Park home following the shootings – two of which occurred in Dundee and the other in Richards Bay.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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