Ntuli says police are closing in on another Monswamy family massacre suspect

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says police are closing in on another suspect linked to the massacre of seven members of the Monswamy family in Newark, on the province’s North Coast.

Ntuli visited the grieving family on Friday, following the arrest of three suspects believed to be behind the killings.

The seven relatives were kidnapped from their home on Tuesday, then driven to Melmoth, where they were brutally murdered using knives and firearms.

Ntuli has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as senseless, adding that such violent crime has no place in KwaZulu-Natal.

It’s also alleged some victims were raped, in what appears to have been a calculated and merciless attack.

The brutal tragedy sent shockwaves across KwaZulu-Natal and the country, with the youngest victim killed being just 20 years old and the oldest being 83 years old.

Ntuli says the targeting of both young and old highlights the indiscriminate brutality of the crime, deepening the pain for the family and community.

“They are still suggesting that Sunday may be a day of a funeral. And we have said we'll put everything aside in order to be with the community and the family and send a message because what is more important for us is a message that we all need to work together in order to protect our citizens so that they will feel safe," Ntuli added.

The three suspects, now in custody, are expected to appear in court next Tuesday.