Police made a major anti ‘faction war’ breakthrough when they arrested a triple murder suspect on Thursday (August 21) just after 7pm.
National Intervention Unit officers deployed at Ezakheni – together with Project Team officials from Ezakheni police station, Ladysmith Cluster Trio Task Team and Ladysmith Crime Intelligence Unit – to follow up on information concerning a triple murder that happened in Ezakheni E-Section.
Police arrested a 50-year-old man in the Ekuvukeni area. He was found to be in possession of an AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition. The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether it was used in the killing of the three and in the commission of any other crime in the country.
The suspect is due to appear in the Ekuvukeni Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges of three counts of murder and the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
This after three people were found dead in their vehicle in the Ezakheni area on August 8 at about 7.45pm. The men had multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies. The deceased have been identified as Senzo Duma (28), Mbongi Micheal Lukhele (51) and Mthuleni Phillip Mbatha (35). The motive for their killing is unknown.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, commended the police officers for their sterling work in bringing the perpetrator to book. She strongly condemned attacks of this nature directed at innocent people. “The detectives will work diligently to investigate this case and present all the necessary evidence that will lead to the conviction of the suspect. Our members will continue with their good work in seizing illegal firearms and arresting those involved in any kind of criminal activities in and around the Ezakheni area,” she said.