The seven family members from Newtown, Newark in northern KwaZulu-Natal who were kidnapped and murdered
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The eldest of the seven relatives killed in northern KwaZulu-Natal would have marked her 83rd birthday on Thursday.
Instead, tragedy struck on Tuesday night, depriving Mariama Naidoo of the chance to celebrate her special day.
Naidoo, along with her sister Mooniama Padayachee, 79, and relatives Allen Monswamy, his wife Sandy, their children Kraidon and Shamaria, and Sandy’s brother Gonaseelan Padayachee, were abducted from their home in Newtown, Newark, and killed.
According to police, the victims were abducted on Tuesday night. Their bodies were later discovered on Wednesday in Melmoth, approximately 200 kilometres away.
Three of the victims were shot while the remaining four were stabbed to death.
The case came to light on Wednesday morning when a domestic worker arrived at the property and found signs of a break-in.
The nephew of the elderly women, Renarldo Govender, said the family and small community were shocked by the senseless killing.
"If they had a problem, why kill the family? We have lost so many family members in one tragic act of violence. The two elderly women were my late dad's sisters. When I spoke to my aunt on Tuesday I jokingly wished her a happy birthday and she said it was not on that day but on Thursday. I told her I know that. Little did we know that I will not be able to wish her on her birthday," said Govender.
He said he went to the house on Wednesday morning after receiving a call from a relative.
"They had heard that there was a break-in and asked me to check if everything was okay. When my brother and I got there the helper said when she got to work she didn't find anyone at the house and it had been broken into. The house had been ransacked.
"We searched for them in the area around the house. It is very sad what has happened to them," said Govender.
Kuben Naicker, a local councillor and resident, said the small, close-knit community were shocked and struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
"It is devastating that they were brutally killed. At least the suspects were apprehended and the family found, but it is sad that it was too late.
"They were a quiet family, who were helpful and well-respected in the community," said Naicker.
On Friday, the DA is set to stage a demonstration outside the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court, where three of the arrested suspects are expected to appear.
Police investigations led officers to the Hlomendlini area, where two suspects were arrested on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the suspects was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims. Further leads directed officers to the Dendetu area in Sundumbili, where a third suspect was apprehended. He was found carrying a firearm. In total, police recovered eleven cellphones from the suspects.
Authorities allege that one of the suspects had been employed by the victims. He and his accomplices reportedly broke into the home, tied the victims with rope, and assaulted them.
The victims were forced into their own vehicle and transported to Melmoth.
According to police, the suspects reportedly demanded banking details and PINs from at least three victims.
After obtaining this information, they allegedly shot and killed three victims, while the remaining four were stabbed to death.
"Police also discovered that on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, several bank transfers were made from the victims’ accounts. The suspects led the police to Melmoth on Wednesday where the bodies of the seven victims aged between 20 and 83 years old were found. "The suspects, aged 21, 26 and 28-years-old, will appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 April 2026," said police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.