Suspect, 32, arrested for murder of Eastern Cape mother and five children

A 32-year-old suspect was arrested in a flat in Ginsberg, King William’s Town on Thursday evening following the brutal murder of a family of six in Dabekweni Locality in Kwaaiman, Eastern Cape earlier this week. 

On arrival at the family home, police made a gruesome discovery. Six people were found dead which included a 42-year-old mother and her five children aged between six-months-old and 10-years-old.  

“An Axe which was found at the scene of crime is believed to have been used as an instrument in the commission of the murders,” said Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF EASTERN CAPE FAMILY 

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga hailed swift action by the multidisciplinary team of investigators which then managed to arrest the suspect in the recent killings of six family members. 

According to the reports, the investigators received information which led them to a flat allegedly belonging to a relative in Ginsberg where they found and arrested the 32-year-old male suspect who was in hiding.

“It is alleged that the suspect who cannot be identified at this stage until his court appearance, had escaped from Dabekweni Locality in Kwaaiman after the incident to find refuge in King Williams Town. Details on how he found his way to Ginsberg are still under investigation,” said Kinana.   

“The suspect is yet to be interviewed by the detectives in order to establish a comprehensive truth behind the tragic axe murders of his wife and five children. At the time of the arrest the suspect is believed to have been preparing to flee South Africa back to his home country,” added Kinana. 

When police previously commented on the Eastern Cape murders, they said the suspect was from Zimbabwean origin.

SUSPECT TO APPEAR IN COURT ON MONDAY 

Ntshinga said she is truly excited following the major breakthrough by the integration of capable and proficient detectives. 

“Their sleepless nights of investigation have paid dividends. The suspect must now face the law. Crimes against Women and Children are a top priority of the South African Police Service, therefore our communities must not only hear this but must see its manifestations in the outcomes of the work that we do,” said Ntshinga.

Once the suspect is charged in connection with the murder of the Eastern Cape family, he is expected to appear at the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court on Monday 30 November 2020. 

In the meantime, the investigation continues. The Provincial Commissioner has expressed gratitude to the communities who persistently supported the police investigations until the arrest of the suspect.