Police make swift arrests after 10 family members murdered in SA

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the horrific murders of ten family members in Pietermaritzburg early this morning.

The shocking mass murders in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, have made news headlines around the world, with Police Minister General Bheki Cele and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola both descending on the KZN province, along with other top police management officials.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Friday evening that information from community members, coupled with police investigations, has led to the swift arrest of two suspects.

The ten members of the same family were ambushed and killed in the early hours of Friday morning. According to police reports, armed men entered the family’s home in iMbali township in PMB. It’s reported that the men pretended to be police officers.

« The Police Ministry wishes to commend the swift work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who have made the arrests bringing much needed assurance and some comfort to the community that has been left shocked and traumatised by the brutal killings, » SAPS said in a statement.

Cele said: « They have arrested two people, one was injured, one is dead, one ran away and three firearms were recovered. » The suspect who died had been on SAPS’ wanted list for some time.

The motive is still unclear although it’s reported that there was a history of animosity between the family and the killers.

The BBC reports that South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with the Daily Mail putting the figure at around 20,000 people murdered per year in the country.

The victims included seven females and three males. One of the victims was only 13. Another child has been taken to hospital.