GQEBERHA – A 28-year-old man, a foreign national, has been arrested and will appear today at the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of five young men in Motherwell on 27 May.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the arrest followed an intensive investigation by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in Gqeberha.
“Acting on intelligence gathered during the probe, detectives conducted a tracing operation from the evening of Thursday, 4 June, to the morning of Friday, 5 June, resulting in the successful apprehension of the suspect,” she said.
Gantana added that the case stems from a mass shooting incident that occurred at approximately 13:33 on Wednesday, 27 May, at a residence in Mnenga Street, NU10, Motherwell.
“Police responded to reports of gunfire and, upon arrival, found five males with gunshot wounds,” she said. “Four victims were located in the lounge area of the house, while a fifth victim was discovered in a bedroom.”
Gantana noted that Emergency Medical Services declared three victims deceased at the scene. “Despite resuscitation efforts, a fourth victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene,” she said. “The fifth victim was transported to hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries.”
Gantana stated that the deceased have been identified as Mpendulo Sjadu (17), Sonwabise Mkhweta (17), Luvuyo Crowly (17), Ibrahim Said (18), and Vuyisani Pinini (18).
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, commended the investigating team for their dedication and commitment.
“This arrest demonstrates the relentless efforts of our detectives to track down those responsible for violent crimes. Their professionalism, persistence, and tireless work have brought us a step closer to ensuring justice for the victims and their families,” he said.
“We remain committed to removing violent offenders from our communities and ensuring that they are brought before the courts,” Ncata added.
The suspect has been detained on five counts of murder and is expected to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court today, 8 June.
