Seven men have been arrested in a breakthrough in the murder case of two Somali nationals, East London police said yesterday.

Seven men have been arrested in a breakthrough in the murder case of two Somali nationals, East London police said yesterday.

Spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said the two men were found dead inside their spaza shop in Duncan village on January 6. The shop had been burnt down.

The two men were identified as Said Khalif Jama, 17, and Badal Shiek Mohamed, 26.

On January 6, police arrested a 39-year-old man who was in possession of a generator stolen from the shop.

Last Thursday, three men, aged 21, 23 and 24, were arrested with the help of the community and the Crime Intelligence Gathering Unit. The men were in possession of some of the property stolen from the spaza shop.

On Saturday police followed a lead that led them to a house where two firearms, believed to have been used in the murders, and ammunition were found.

The firearms would be sent for ballistic tests while police establish who the guns belonged to.

Police also arrested three men between the ages of 18 and 23 who are believed to be involved in the murders.

All seven men stand accused on charges of murder, armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and arson. They would appear before the East London magistrate's court soon.

Two more men suspected of being involved in the murders would be arrested shortly, said Marais. - Sapa