Seven family members were shot dead by unknown gunmen on November 16.
Eastern Cape Police detectives have arrested four suspects in connection with the murders of seven members of the Mgxada family who were gunned down the night of November 16.
The shooting took place at the Mgxada family farm in the town of Tantseka in the Sithebe administrative area on the outskirts of Mthatha.
The arrests were made on Monday and came less than a week later. Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the grieving Mgxada family with promises of imminent arrests.
“On November 28, the investigation team received information that two suspects were appearing before the Bityi Magistrate Court on charges related to possession of firearms without a license. One of the suspects later led the police to others who were hiding in Slovo Park in Mthatha.
“Upon seeing the police, the suspects hiding in Slovo Park started shooting at the police who retaliated. During the exchange of fire, two suspects sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” said provincial police spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
Police also confiscated four firearms and a toy gun from the suspects.
Kinana said the firearms will be sent to the forensic evidence unit for ballistic testing.
The four suspects are expected to appear in Mthatha Magistrate Court on November 30 on murder charges.
The Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, expressed his thanks to the community for supporting the work of the police during the investigations.
Police investigations are ongoing to establish the motive for the killings.
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