- He also disclosed that a fourth suspect is expected to be apprehended soon.
- Mchunu announced the arrests during a memorial service for the victims on Sunday.
Three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the mindless murder of 18 relatives, the police in South Africa have said.
The incident happened in the remote town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, last week.
According to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, the suspects were arrested after a painstaking and intensive manhunt.
He also disclosed that a fourth suspect is expected to be apprehended soon.
Mchunu announced the arrests during a memorial service for the victims on Sunday.
The massacre, which left many in shock and disbelief, happened after the gunmen stormed two homes, killing 15 women and 3 men, many of whom were shot in the head.
The victims ranged in age from 14 to 64, according to Dispatch Live.
Mchunu stated that police are still working to “piece together” the circumstances behind the attack, adding that the family had gathered for a traditional ceremony when the gunmen murdered them in cold blood.
He added that the three suspects would be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges related to the massacre.
This horrific incident has reignited calls for stronger police protection in South Africa, a country that already struggles with one of the highest murder rates in the world.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than 27,000 murders were recorded in the country in 2022, equating to 45 murders per 100,000 people—significantly higher than the U.S. rate of six per 100,000.
The massacre has also led to renewed demands to address gender-based violence, with South Africa having one of the highest femicide rates globally.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mmapaseka Letsike, attended the memorial and called on civil society, traditional leaders, and the government to “raise the bar” in the fight to end gender-based violence