Police in KwaZulu Natal have made a breakthrough in a gruesome murder case that took place in Pietermaritzburg in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal last month. Thirteen men were burnt alive while two survived with severe burn wounds when armed men set them alight inside an RDP house in Msunduzi Location in Taylors Halt, KwaMampande area.

ZiMoja reported last month that the fifteen men aged between 25 and 46 were drinking inside an RDP house when seven armed men stormed into the house demanding to see the owner of the place. When they were told he was not around, the gunmen allegedly ordered the men to strip and have sex with each other. When they refused, the suspects doused them in petrol and burnt them alive. Out of the 15, only two survived. Eight died on the scene, while four died in hospital and one body was found in the bushes with burn wounds, not far from the scene.

THE ARRESTS

KZN SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrests. "Police investigations, spearheaded by the Provincial Serious Violent Crimes Murder and Robbery Unit have resulted in the arrests of four suspects who are linked to the brutal killings of thirteen people at Taylor's Halt, on Sunday, 14 May 2023. Eight people were burnt to death inside an RDP house, whilst others succumbed to their injuries in hospital," he said. Netshiunda further said that another dead body was found with burn wounds in the bushes, a short distance from the scene of the crime. "The matter was escalated to the Murder and Robbery Unit under the Serious Violent Crime Unit which hit the ground running. Immaculate investigations isolated the suspected murderers and police pounced on them on Tuesday, 13 June 2023. Investigations are continuing with the investigating team not ruling out the possibility of more arrests. The four suspects, whose ages have not been confirmed as yet, will be presented before court soon," he said.