Three suspects in Monswamy family mass murder due in court
The seven members of the Monswamy family from Newark, KwaZulu-Natal who were murdered last week were laid to rest on Sunday.
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Devastated relatives will have mixed feelings when they come face to face with the three suspects accused of the brutal murder of the Monswamy family, in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Family spokesperson, Vim Pillay, said there would be mixed feelings because some of the suspects were known to the Monswamys.
"They worked along Mr Alan Monswamy in his business venture.
"But family and friends and members are seeking absolute justice for this horrendous ordeal.
"We trusting in God that justice will be served and the government takes cognitive, punitive measures to remedy this act of barbarianism," he said.
Pillay said family, friends and members of various political parties will be in attendance.
The first court appearance comes exactly a week after Alan Monswamy, 52, his wife Sandy, 57, their children Kraidon, 26, and Shamaria, 20, as well as relatives Gonosagren Padayachee, 51, Mooniamma Padayachee, 78, and Mariama Happanah, 83, were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Newtown, Newark before being taken to Melmoth, where they were killed.
Following an intensive investigation involving several law enforcement units, three suspects aged 21, 26 and 28 were arrested on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement, the Office of the Provincial Police Commissioner said preliminary reports indicated that a domestic helper employed by the victims arrived at their home on Wednesday morning and discovered the house had been broken into, while seven people and a vehicle were missing.
Police investigations further revealed that one of the suspects had previously worked for the family.
The suspects later led police to Melmoth on Wednesday, where the bodies of the seven victims were discovered.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community.
Family, friends and residents gathering in large numbers to pay their final respects at a mass funeral on Sunday.