Fourth suspect nabbed in Newark family kidnapping and murder
FAMILY WELCOME ARREST
Alan Monswamy with his wife Sandy, and their children Kraidon and Shamarie. A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder case.
Image: Supplied
A FOURTH suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of seven Newark family members, following the initial arrests of three others.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged for murder, kidnapping and house robbery.
“This follows an incident in which seven people were kidnapped from a house at a lot in Newtown, Newark on April 21, and were found dead later that night in Melmoth,” he said.
The suspect will appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court soon. The arrest came just hours after the three accused, Linda Blessing Mthiyane, Bongumenzi Mpungose and Mthandeni Luyanda Mthiyane appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They were charged with the alleged kidnapping and premeditated murder of Alan Monswamy, 52, his wife Sandy, 57, their children Kraidon, 26, and Shamarie, 20, as well as relatives Gonosagran Padayachee, 51, Mooniamma Padayachee, 78, and Mariama Appanah, 83.
The family were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Newark, on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on April 21.
Their bodies were discovered in a secluded area near Melmoth the next day.
Mpungose has also been charged with the alleged rape of Shamarie.
During the court appearance, he told the court he intended on applying for bail.
The accused previously abandoned their bid for bail.
Speaking to the POST on Wednesday, Devan Naidoo, Alan Monswamy's brother-in-law, said they were relieved following the arrest of the fourth suspect.
“It has been two long months as we waited and prayed for the fourth suspect to be arrested. We are hopeful that we will now get more answers as to what happened.
“But, we are again pleading to the court for bail to be denied for the other accused and the new suspect. They cannot be allowed to walk around freely in society after committing such heinous crimes. We will also be calling for the maximum sentences to be handed down for each of the crimes committed, ” he said.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly restrained the family members before forcing them into the back of the family’s bakkie and transporting them to Melmoth against their will.
It is alleged that a firearm and knives were used during the attack.
The State alleged that the men broke into the family's home with the intention of committing robbery.
They allegedly assaulted the victims and stole five cellphones, a laptop, two grass-cutting machines, a vacuum cleaner, a toolbox, R3,000 in cash, bank cards and the family's Ford Ranger.
