The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that all four suspects wanted in connection with Lusikisiki mass murders have been arrested.
Police thanked everyone who helped, noting that the arrests took place just a day after a manhunt for the sought-after “dangerous” suspects was announced.
National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed that in less than 24 hours from the time the SAPS issued an alert on the wanted suspects, communities rallied together and informed police of their whereabouts.
“All four suspects are now in police custody,” said Masemola.
“To those who shared the pictures of these suspects on social media, to all the journalists and media houses that played their watchdog role, we are indebted to you. This is what the SAPS can achieve when the whole country rallies behind our men and women in blue.”
The SAPS wishes not to divulge where these suspects were found and arrested at this stage as this may jeopardise investigations.
The suspects will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, the man charged with the murder of 18 people abandoned his bail application in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, told the media that Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, who was out on parole for murder when he was arrested for the recent massacre, made his first appearance a week ago.
Tyali said Myekethe is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK47 assault rifle.
The case was remanded to November 26 for further investigations.
The Star