Shamaria, Sandy, Kraidon and Allen Monswamy who were abducted, robbed and killed in KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Supplied
(The Post News )- Three men aged between 21 and 28 are set to appear at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday in connection with the murder of seven Monswamy family members.
The seven family members Allen Monswamy (52), his wife, Sandy (57) their two children Kraidon (26), and Shamaria (20), and their relatives Gonosagren Padayachee (51) Mooniamma Padayachee (78) and Mariama Happanah (83), were allegedly taken from their Newark home on Tuesday night.
According to police, the suspects allegedly gained entry to the Monswamy household, restrained the occupants, and drove them to Melmoth, about 200km away in a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. The victims’ bodies were found in Melmoth. Police said a domestic worker employed by the victims discovered the break-in when she arrived on Wednesday, 22 April. She also discovered that the seven family members and a vehicle were missing.
A joint operation by KwaDukuza police detectives, the KwaDukuza Tactical Response Team, Provincial Counter Intelligence, the Provincial Counter Kidnapping Unit, the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, and private security partners led to the arrest of the three suspects in KwaZulu-Natal. On Wednesday afternoon, investigations led officers to Hlomendlini, where two suspects were arrested. Police allege that one of the suspects was found with a cellphone belonging to one of the victims.
Police followed information to Dendetu in Sundumbili, where they arrested a third suspect. He was allegedly found with a firearm. In total, 11 cellphones were allegedly found in the suspects’ possession. Police further discovered that one of the suspects allegedly worked for the victims.
Community in Shock After Murder of the Monswamy Family
The killing of the Monswamy family members has left the community reeling and demanding justice. Local councillor Conrad Nkosi Mhlongo said the incident was shocking and had devastated the community. “There are rumours that there was a misunderstanding about money with the people who worked for the businessman. This is nothing but criminality,” he said.
KZN Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi said 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. He noted that it is worrisome that one of the suspects was employed by the victims.
Mkhwanazi urged employers to do background checks on all the people they employ and also study their suspicious behaviour. “Some cases, especially in the farms and secluded areas, are committed by people who are familiar and close to the victims. Police will leave no stone unturned in the 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,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
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