Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalProvincialMurderandRobberyUnit
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Foreign national linked to the mass Umlazi killings arrested
KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a 28-year-old foreign national in connection with the mass murder of six men at an informal settlement in Umlazi, shedding light on what investigators believe was a revenge-fuelled attack. The killings took place on the night of 17 August 2024 in V/6 Section, Umlazi, when a group of six men and three women were socialising and consuming alcohol. Two men approached the group, asking to buy cigarettes, but were told no one was selling. Moments later, the men returned armed and instructed the women to lie down before opening fire on the men. All six victims were declared dead at the scene. Police later determined the shooting was likely revenge-motivated. 'Investigations uncovered that the killings were revenge-motivated,' police said. The deceased, who were reportedly Xhosa-speaking, had allegedly clashed with Swati foreign nationals living in the same area before the incident. After months of intensive investigation, detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit traced one of the suspects to Krugersdorp in Gauteng. The suspect, identified as Melusi Dlamini, a 28-year-old Swati foreign national, was arrested on 4 July. The foreign national now faces six counts of murder, along with charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Dlamini appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on 7 July. He abandoned his bail application, and the court remanded his case to 14 August. While police welcomed the arrest of the foreign national, the manhunt continues for the second suspect involved in the massacre. 'Investigations are underway in search of the second suspect,' police confirmed. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Swati man arrested for Umlazi mass murder
Police said the Umlazi murders were revenge-motivated, with the Xhosa-speaking victims having previously been involved in altercations with Eswatini nationals. The man arrested in connection with the mass shooting in Umlazi is expected to make his first court appearance in the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Picture: iStock A 28-year-old foreign national has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of six men who were gunned down at an informal settlement in Umlazi's V/6 Section on 17 August 2024. His arrest follows extensive investigations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives. Melusi Dlamini, an Eswatini national, was arrested in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, on Friday, 4 July 2025. Dlamini faces six counts of murder along with charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Night of Umlazi mass murder The deadly incident unfolded when six men were socialising and consuming alcohol with three women at the informal settlement. According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the evening took a tragic turn when two unknown men approached the group claiming they wanted to purchase cigarettes. The attackers had initially been turned away when they were told that no one was selling cigarettes, but their return proved fatal for the six victims. 'The two men left, only to return moments later and instructed the three women to lie down as they fired shots [at] the male victims. 'Six men were shot and declared dead at the scene,' Netshiunda explained. ALSO READ: Man arrested for Gugulethu mass shooting, another wanted Umlazi mass murder revenge motive uncovered Investigations revealed that the mass shooting was motivated by revenge, stemming from earlier conflicts within the community. Netshiunda indicated that the killings were revenge-motivated, with the deceased victims having allegedly been involved in altercations with Eswatini nationals residing in the same area. The six men who lost their lives were all Xhosa-speaking, and their deaths appeared to be the culmination of tensions between different ethnic groups within the settlement. ALSO READ: Shootings plague Cape Town after another five people gunned down Court proceedings and ongoing investigation Dlamini made his first appearance at the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 7 July 2025. During court proceedings, he chose to abandon his bail application. His case has been remanded to 14 August 2025 for further proceedings. 'Investigations are underway in search of the second suspect,' Netshiunda confirmed. READ NEXT: Outrage after seven people killed in mass shooting in Gugulethu
