Eastern Cape police have arrested four suspects in connection with the killing of 7 family members at their home in Bityi, Eastern Cape on 16 November.
Earlier this month, gunmen forced their way into the homestead and opened fire killing six people at the scene, while the seventh victim died in hospital.
The family was arranging for the burial of their relative, 62-year-old Novotile Mgxada, who had been shot dead the previous week, according to eNCA News.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 28, are expected to appear in the Bityi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Provincial Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said the breakthrough came on Monday when investigators learned that two suspects were due to appear in court in Bityi on charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Algo AFM quotes Kinana as saying one of the suspects led police to the other suspects who were in Slovo Park where a shootout occurred. Kinana is cited as saying:
During the exchange of gunfire, two suspects suffered injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. One suspect was also arrested during the shooting incident.
Kinana said four firearms and a toy gun were confiscated and will be sent for ballistic testing.
Kinana said two of the suspects appeared in court in Mthatha on Tuesday on charges relating to possession of unlicensed firearms.
The case was remanded to 9 December for a formal bail hearing.