Police make breakthrough in Gugulethu murders

Western Cape police say four suspects have been arrested in connection with last week’s triple murder in Gugulethu. The men were arrested in the early hours of Friday, 17 April, at an address in Gugulethu, according to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut. He said the group is believed to be linked not only to the triple murder, but also to an earlier double killing in the same area.

Traut said the arrests followed a joint operation involving the Tactical Response Team, Provincial Crime Intelligence, the Crime Intelligence Management and Analysis Centre, and the Serious and Violent Crime unit. Police traced the suspects after building a case that connected them to two violent incidents in J Nontulo Street in New Cross.

Two crime scenes, five victims

Police say the first shooting happened on 23 March. Officers found the bodies of a 25-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman in a backyard dwelling. According to Traut, the pair had been visiting the property for a social gathering when they were shot dead without warning.

The second shooting happened on 13 April, close to the first scene. Detectives found three victims. A 46-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were discovered inside a bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. An unidentified man was found at the front gate with a fatal gunshot wound, Traut said.

Intelligence trail stretches beyond Gugulethu

The investigation stretched across the Nyanga policing precinct and into Khayelitsha. Police said intelligence work and evidence gathering helped officers link the suspects to both murder scenes. That cross-precinct effort appears to have been key in cracking a case that left a community shaken by repeated bloodshed.

There is, however, a discrepancy in the ages reported by police. The article says the suspects are aged between 34 and 30, while Traut is quoted as saying the four men are between 24 and 30. The police statement in the report does not explain the difference.

Another suspect held with firearm

Police also arrested a fifth suspect, aged 35, after he was allegedly found with a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off. The firearm will now undergo ballistic testing to establish whether it was used in the murders.

The suspects are expected to appear in court once charged. Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app.