Five years on the run: Sydenham massacre suspect arrested - IOL

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a suspect in connection with the 2021 Sydenham mass shooting that left nine people dead.

A suspect wanted in connection with the killing of nine people in Sydenham in October 2021 has been arrested in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal, nearly five years after the mass shooting.

KwaZulu-Natal Murder and Robbery Unit detectives arrested the suspect in the Obuka area of Melmoth on Wednesday night.

The suspect was wanted in connection with the deaths of nine people who were killed in separate incidents in Sydenham on October 16, 2021.

Six people were shot and killed at a house in the Palmiet Road Informal Settlement in Sydenham.

A short distance away, three more people were killed in two separate incidents on the same day. Police believe the killings were committed by the same suspects.

The case was referred to the Murder and Robbery Unit, with two suspects identified during the investigation.

One suspect was traced in Empangeni, where he resisted arrest and was fatally wounded during a shootout with police,said Netshiunda. 

The second suspect remained elusive until detectives traced him to the Obuka area in Melmoth.

“He was elusive but relentless police efforts led them to Obuka area in Melmoth where he was in hiding and he was cornered and arrested,” KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 25, facing multiple murder charges.

The same Murder and Robbery Unit is also investigating the killing of 11 people in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha on Tuesday night.

Detectives are following several leads in that investigation.

Netshiunda said it was only a matter of time before the suspects were arrested.

“Anyone with information which can fast-track the investigation is urged to tip-off the police anonymously via the crime stop number 08600 10111 or contact the nearest police station,” he said.