Eastern Cape police have arrested four more suspects in connection with the mass shooting that occurred in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha, in January. The latest arrests followed a tip from community members about the whereabouts of the four individuals who had escaped during the apprehension of the first suspect in Walmer early in March. The men, aged between 30 and 34, were detained on Monday at the Peelton location outside Qonce. They have been identified as Siyabulela Funde, 30; Luyanda April, 34; Luzuko Tsotsi, 30; and Sinaye Tyesi, 30.
Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha praised the Peelton community for cooperating with police to bring the suspects to justice. “We are now calling on the entire justice system to work together for a successful prosecution, conviction and sentencing,” he said, adding that he believes these arrests will help curb the spate of killings in Nelson Mandela Bay townships. The suspects are alleged to have opened fire on the first of what later became known as “Bloody Sundays” among Gqeberha township residents, ambushing and spraying bullets at an 11‑person birthday celebration. Seven people were killed on the scene, and an eighth later died in hospital.
With these latest arrests, the number of suspects now in custody has risen to five. Provincial Police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said the men will appear in court in Gqeberha on Thursday. The first accused, Mzwandile Mahambehlala, who was arrested at the beginning of March, is scheduled to appear for a formal bail application on 3 April.
Comments are closed for this story.