The Eastern Cape police have confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with the murder of two people in Ntabankulu on Monday, March 27.
The two were shot and killed as they were coming out of Ntabankulu Plaza when unknown suspects appeared and fired at them which left them dead inside their vehicle.
The two deceased are believed to be taxi owners from a local taxi association.
It is further alleged that the suspects, aged between 33 and 36, thereafter escaped to a nearby B&B establishment where they hid themselves from the police.
“On realising that they were under siege, two of the four suspects skipped through the window to a neighbourhood house where they chased away children and occupied the flat in which the children were staying.
“The police called reinforcement and surrounded the place where the suspects had allegedly taken refuge. Subsequently, all four suspects were arrested and during the search, three firearms – AK 47, two pistols and ammunition, the vehicle which was used by the suspects as a getaway car and cell phones were confiscated by the police,” said provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
According to Kinana, a 30-year-old bystander was shot in the lower body, and she was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical care.
“Double murder cases, an attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition have been registered for investigation. All confiscated firearms will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic testing, to establish if they have not been used in other murder incidents in the Eastern Cape or elsewhere around the country,” Kinana added.
The motive for the shooting is currently unknown but will form part of the investigation.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and further hailed the integration of specialised units within the South African Police Service for the great work.
“In as much as we appreciate the arrest of these heartless criminals, I am however very interested in getting to know who assigned them to carry out this callous work. Such a detail is critical for me and will help us close the net on the sources of these vicious killings,” Mene said.
Anyone with information on the incident which may assist the police in expediting their investigation is urged to contact the investigator, Detective Captain Buduza at 071 475 1846. Callers may remain anonymous, and all the information supplied including their identities will be kept confidential.
The arrested suspects were expected to appear before the Ntabankulu Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, March 29, once they are charged.
