Police say the 44-year-old faces four murder charges as detectives investigate whether others took part
By Staff Reporter
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of four men who were assaulted and set alight beside the N7 in Dunoon last month.
On Friday, 4 September, SAPS Western Cape spokesperson Colonel André Traut said detectives had arrested the man during an operation in Dunoon at about 11.30pm the previous night.
Detectives from the Provincial Serious Violent Crime Unit carried out the operation with assistance from members of the Tactical Response Team.
The arrest came 11 days after police were called to the N7 off-ramp at Malibongwe Drive at about 1.30pm on Sunday, 23 August. Officers found four men who had been assaulted and set alight.
In its month-end edition published on Tuesday, 25 August, Iliso Labantu News reported that some residents had accused the four men of involvement in robberies and rapes.
Traut said information pursued by detectives led them to a person of interest and ultimately to the arrest.
Police have not disclosed the nature of that information or what role they allege the man played in the attack.
Traut said the suspect was expected to face four counts of murder and was due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 7 September.
The investigation remains open. Detectives are trying to establish the circumstances and motive and determine whether other people were involved.
Western Cape provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General S.W. Dyantyi welcomed the arrest and said investigators would continue pursuing available leads.
“The brutal manner in which these four men lost their lives is deeply concerning. We welcome this breakthrough, which demonstrates that our investigators remain committed to pursuing those responsible for violent crimes, irrespective of the circumstances surrounding the victims,” said. Dyantyi. “I have confidence that the investigating team will continue to follow every available lead to establish the full circumstances surrounding these murders.”
