Arrests hailed by families of slain 4

THE families of five men shot by unidentified suspects in Brown’s Farm last week have hailed the police for their arrest of two suspects at the weekend.

Police arrested two suspects in connection with the murders of Sinethemba Gwadiso, 28, Yonela Sixiki, 13, Kamvalethu Thuthani, 12, and Sazi Velebhayi, 20, who were killed on Tuesday night while sitting in a Toyota Avanza.

Siyabonga Gwadiso, 20, was wounded in the shooting.

Police are looking for a third suspect. The arrests came a few days after Police Minister Bheki Cele assured the families of those shot and the community of Brown’s Farm that detectives were closing in on the suspects.

Police spokesperson Andre Traut said: “Our investigations into the ruthless killing of four people, including two children in Brown’s Farm last week, led to the apprehension of two suspects aged 27 and 34 over weekend.”

Traut said a third suspect is yet to be arrested, and detectives were “hot in his pursuit”.

Police provincial commissioner Khombinkosi Jula commended the detectives.The suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today to face four murder and one attempted murder charge.

Lindela Dyubhele, the uncle of Sinethemba, Yonela and Siyabonga, said he welcomed the news of the arrests.

“This is good news. We are grateful to the police for their arrests. When the matter finally goes to trial, we will know the motive behind the killings. We hope they don’t get bail,” said Dyubhele.

One of those inside the Avanza before the shooting was Nobuhle Balele, 17, who had left minutes before the shooting to go to the shops.

On her way back, she heard about 20 gunshots and had thought the gunmen were robbing a spaza shop. On closer inspection, she realised her cousins had been shot.