By Johnathan Paoli
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has described the recent killing of a family of seven in Newark in the province as “barbaric, ruthless and heartless” and called on the community and the province to unite against violent crime.
Hundreds gathered at the Stanger High School Sports Ground to bid farewell to Alan and Sandy Monswamy, their children Kraidon and Shamaria, and relatives Cliffy Padayachee, Mooniamma Padayachee, and Mariamma Appanah, whose abduction and killing last week has shocked the country.
Addressing mourners, Ntuli said the scale of the tragedy set it apart from ordinary funerals.
“This is not a normal funeral. When you see seven coffins lying here, not because of a natural cause of death but at the hands of barbaric, ruthless and heartless men, it touches all of us,” he said.
Ntuli called on residents across KwaZulu-Natal to work with law enforcement to ensure justice is served and similar crimes are prevented.
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The funeral service was followed by a procession to the Stanger Crematorium, where the victims were laid to rest.
Police confirmed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders and are expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, following a postponement on Friday last week.
A fourth suspect, believed to have fled with one of the victims’ vehicles, remains at large.
Ntuli said law enforcement agencies were deploying all available resources to track down the outstanding suspect.
According to reports, the family was kidnapped from their home on Tuesday night in what appears to have been a planned attack, with the accused later leading the police to their bodies in a remote area near Melmoth.
Investigations began when a domestic worker arrived at the property on Wednesday morning and discovered signs of a break-in, with the occupants and a vehicle missing. Authorities were alerted, triggering a multi-unit police operation.
Officers traced a cellphone belonging to one of the victims, leading to the arrest of two suspects in the Hlomendlini area.
Further investigation led police to Sundumbili, where a third suspect was apprehended in possession of a firearm.
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Police said evidence collected so far suggests the victims were held captive for several hours, during which they were assaulted and forced to hand over bank cards and personal identification numbers.
Several transactions were later made from their accounts.
The stolen family vehicle has since been recovered, though the suspect believed to have taken it remains on the run.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has commended investigators for their swift arrests and urged them to build a strong case.
Mkhwanazi also warned that the case highlights the risks posed by individuals known to victims, noting that one of the suspects had previously worked for the family.
The captured suspects, aged 21, 26, and 28, are expected to face multiple charges including murder, kidnapping, robbery, and rape.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that the suspects’ first court appearance had been postponed due to security concerns and heightened public interest in the case.
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Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said investigators and court officials agreed to delay proceedings to allow for tighter security arrangements.
As the province mourns, Ntuli said the killings should serve as a rallying point for communities to take a stand against crime.
