Durban – KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested three suspects linked to the kidnapping and murder of seven people in Newark, near KwaDukuza, in a case that has shocked the province and triggered a multi-unit investigative response.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the incident began on Tuesday night, 21 April 2026, when the suspects allegedly broke into a home in Newtown, Newark, and abducted seven individuals before transporting them to Melmoth, approximately 200 kilometres away.
Police said the breakthrough came after a domestic worker arrived at the property on Wednesday morning, 22 April 2026, and discovered that the house had been broken into and that seven people, along with a vehicle, were missing.
Newark police were immediately alerted, and multiple specialised units were activated.
“Intensive investigation by police in Newark KwaZulu-Natal, working together with KwaDukuza Detectives, KwaDukuza TRT, Provincial Counter Intelligence Unit, Provincial Counter Kidnapping Unit, Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit and police’s E2 partners led to the arrest of three suspects,” SAPS said.
Swift police action led investigators to the Hlomendlini area, where two suspects were arrested on Wednesday afternoon. One of the suspects was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims.
A third suspect was later arrested in the Dendetu area in Sundumbili. Police said he was found in possession of a firearm. Officers also recovered 11 cellphones in total from the suspects.
SAPS further revealed that one of the suspects had been employed by the victims and is alleged to have played a central role in the attack.
“The suspects allegedly broke into the victims’ house, tied them up with a rope and one of them allegedly sexually assaulted the 20-year-old woman before loading them onto a vehicle belonging to one of the victims,” police said.
The victims were then transported to Melmoth, where further crimes were allegedly committed. Police said the same suspect is believed to have assaulted the young woman again at the second location before the group demanded banking details and PIN numbers from some of the victims.
“After collecting the banking details, the suspects shot and killed three victims. The other four victims were stabbed to death,” SAPS said.
Authorities also confirmed that several unauthorised bank transfers were made from the victims’ accounts during the period of the attack.
The bodies of the seven victims, aged between 20 and 83, were later discovered in Melmoth after the suspects led police to the scene.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the rapid response by law enforcement agencies, saying the arrests reflected the importance of coordinated policing efforts.
“Some crimes are difficult for police to prevent, however if a crime happens, police’s reaction capacity must be equal to the task and crack the case,” said Mkhwanazi.
He added that it was concerning that one of the suspects had been known to the victims.
“It is worrisome that one of the suspects was employed by the victims. We are urging employers to do background checks on all the people they employ and also study their suspicious behaviour,” he said.
Mkhwanazi said police would pursue the case aggressively.
“Police will leave no stone unturned in quest for a maximum jail sentence for the suspects. We will also analyse every piece of evidence to see if the suspect can be linked to other cases in and around the province,” he said.
The three suspects, aged 21, 26 and 28, are expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 April 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
