Three suspects have been arrested for the alleged murder of shop owner Zoleka Gantana (57) and her employee Kholosa Mpunga (27). The two women were allegedly abducted during a business robbery in Ncerha outside East London last week Saturday. They were later found killed, their bodies dismemberd and burnt beyond recognition on Friday in an open veld. 

SAPS spokesperson Thembinkosi Kinana explained that it is the shop owner's bakkie that was left stuck in the mud that helped lead to the arrests of three suspects. "Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of the two women who were abducted during a robbery at the business in Ncerha last Saturday evening," he said. Kinana said the deceased were found on Friday morning. The three suspects, aged between 44 and 50, were apprehended in Peddie on Saturday.

Kinana said investigations revealed that both women were murdered with a firearm. "It is alleged that their bodies were chopped up, burnt and subsequently dumped in a dam near the farm, in Gcinisa village. The retrieved remains will be sent for forensic testing to confirm that they were indeed those of the two missing women." He said the three arrested people are expected to appear in the East London Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of murder, kidnapping, possession of stolen property, and business robbery.