The South African police have arrested three persons in connection to the murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.
The victims of the mass shooting, who were killed on September 28, 2024, were laid to rest at the weekend. The youngest victim was 14-years-old.
The three men were arrested in Port Shepstone, on the KZN South Coast, following an intelligence-led operation.
The trio were nabbed in the early hours of Wednesday morning, October 16, by members of the SAPS Port Shepstone K9 and Public Order Policing.
Speaking about the arrests, KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police received a tip-off from a community member that the wanted suspects were hiding at a rented accommodation at Mkholombe informal settlement in Port Shepstone.
“A swift operation was put in motion and the three suspects, aged 22, 24 and 31 years old were arrested," he stated.
He said the operation is ongoing with police searching for a firearm which the suspects allegedly used in the commission of the crime.
On Tuesday, one person who was earlier arrested in connection with the shooting abandoned his bail application.
Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, charged with 18 counts of murder, appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court.
Myekethe is a convicted killer who was out on parole during the alleged commission of the crime.
Police have not disclosed the motive for the shooting.