Four to appear in court for Bityi mass murders
Eastern Cape police have arrested four suspects for the murder of seven members of a family near Bityi on 16 November.
Provincial police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana said the breakthrough came on Monday when two suspects were due to appear in court in Bityi on charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He said one suspect led police to the other suspect in Slovo Park.
A shootout between the police and suspects ensued.
“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,” he said.
Kinana said four firearms and a toy gun were confiscated and will be sent for ballistic testing.
The family were killed when four men forced their way into a homestead and opened fire on a group of people preparing for the funeral of a relative, 62-year-old Novotile Mgxada, who was murdered the week before.
Kinana said two of the suspects appeared in court in Mthatha on Tuesday on charges relating to possession of unlicensed firearms.
The case is remanded to 9 December for a formal bail hearing.
All four suspects are expected to appear in Bityi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of murder.
Kinana said the investigation continues to establish the motive for the killings.
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