An intensive, multi-unit police investigation has led to the arrest of three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of seven people in Newark.
The victims were taken from a house on a lot in Newtown, Newark, on the night of Tuesday, 21 April 2026, and killed later that night in Melmoth.
The investigation was conducted by Newark police in collaboration with KwaDukuza Detectives, KwaDukuza Tactical Response Team, the Provincial Counter Intelligence Unit, the Provincial Counter Kidnapping Unit, the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, and police’s E2 partners.
According to reports, a domestic worker employed by the victims arrived at the residence on the morning of Wednesday, 22 April 2026. She found the house broken into, with seven people and a vehicle missing. Newark police were summoned to the scene, and multiple specialized police units were activated.
Swift police investigations led officers to the Hlomendlini area, where two suspects were arrested on Wednesday afternoon. One suspect was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the kidnapped victims.
Further information directed police to the Dendetu area in Sundumbili, where the third suspect was arrested. He was found in possession of a firearm. A total of 11 cellphones were recovered from the suspects.
Police uncovered that one of the suspects worked for the victims. He and his accomplices allegedly broke into the victims’ house, tied them up with rope, and one suspect allegedly raped a 20-year-old woman before loading the victims into a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. The suspects then drove approximately 200km to Melmoth.
Police established that the same suspect who allegedly raped the 20-year-old woman at the house raped her again in Melmoth. The suspects then demanded banking details and Personal Identification Numbers from three victims. After collecting the banking details, the suspects shot and killed three victims. The other four victims were stabbed to death.
Police also discovered that several bank transfers were made from the victims’ accounts on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The suspects led police to Melmoth on Wednesday, where the bodies of the seven victims, aged between 20 and 83, were found.
The suspects, aged 21, 26, and 28, will appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 April 2026.