After a wide-scale manhunt, KwaZulu-Natal police apprehended a 33-year-old man in connection with the mass killing of five family members and the injury of two others in Bergville on Saturday.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said reports revealed that on Saturday night, the suspect and his uncle paid a visit to neighbours in the Bethany area. Upon their return, the suspect encountered his mother seated in the lounge with others.
“Information further suggests that the suspect took a knife from the couch and stabbed his mother, who managed to run outside the house. Thereafter, he turned his attention to his uncle, who died in the passage as he tried to flee to the neighbours. The suspect went on to stab and kill two young girls, aged two and six."
The killing spree did not end there, according to Netshiunda, as the suspect also stabbed and killed a woman who was living with a disability as well as another elderly woman who had visited the house.
“The suspect's mother and another four-year-old girl survived with multiple stab wounds,” he said. Netshiunda said the suspect's sister managed to flee to safety with her one-year-old baby. He said the exact ages of the other victims were yet to be verified.
“Preliminary investigations have confirmed that the suspect had several domestic violence-related cases opened against him; however, all of them were later voluntarily withdrawn,” he added.
A massive manhunt was launched by police, and a plea was made for anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number 08600 10111.
Hours later, on Sunday morning, in an update, police said the Bergville police had arrested a 33-year-old suspect. Netshiunda said police quickly gathered intelligence and uncovered the whereabouts of the suspect in an operation led by the station commander.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli condemned the incident, describing it as a “horrific act of violence”.
"We strongly condemn this brutal act of criminality. Such atrocities reflect a deep moral decay in our society that demands urgent intervention from the government. We face the enormous task of restoring family values in our communities," said Ntuli.
Ntuli commended the swift and effective response of law enforcement officers, local community crime-fighting structures, and the Bethany community for their role in apprehending the suspect.
"This is proof that by joining hands, we can wage a united and intensified war against crime. We must reclaim our communities from criminal elements," said the Premier.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bergville Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, facing five counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
The Mercury