KZN police make breakthrough with arrest of 12 suspects alleged to have hacked five men to death

Officers cover the bodies of three men who were found hacked to death on Friday morning. Two other bodies were found nearby.
Officers cover the bodies of three men who were found hacked to death on Friday morning. Two other bodies were found nearby.
Image: Rusa

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested 12 suspects after five men were hacked to death, allegedly with a bush knife, in the Bambayi area of Inanda, north of Durban, on Friday morning.

Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the suspects are believed to be members of a forum in the community. The suspects are expected to appear in the Ntuzuma magistrate’s court on Monday.

“Police responded to reports of multiple murders. Upon arrival at the crime scene, three bodies were found at a sports ground near a school while the other two were discovered in a field about 1km away.

“Information suggests the victims, aged between 19 and 25, were allegedly kidnapped from their homes in Bambayi about midnight and their bodies only discovered just after 6.30am with multiple injuries. One victim had his arm chopped off,” Netshiunda said.

Reaction Unit South Africa's (Rusa) Phoenix operation centre received calls for assistance at about 6.40am, including from a bus passenger travelling along Curnick Ndlovu Highway (M25) who informed the duty controller he had seen the bodies of three men in a field next to Inanda Newtown Comprehensive High School. The caller could not provide further details.

Rusa officers, paramedics and police found three bodies in the area. They had been hacked to death. One of the men had sustained a partial amputation to his right hand and a second man's skull was crushed.

Rusa and police officers were thereafter informed that the bodies of two other men had been found on a nearby field. They had also been hacked to death.

Rusa members interviewed several people at the scene who alleged the five men were known robbers and drug users who had been terrorising the community. They were also allegedly responsible for raping multiple female pupils. Frustrated residents allegedly tracked the men down on Thursday night and executed them.

Police appealed to anyone with information about the crime to contact the nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number on 08600-10111.

TimesLIVE


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