Premier Thami Ntuli speaking to the media outside the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Image: KZN Provincial Government
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, is at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to attend the court appearance of three suspects who have been arrested for the killing of seven members of the Monswamy family.
Three suspects, aged 21, 26, and 28, are set to appear in the dock while the search continues for the remaining two at large.
The victims were Alan and Sandy Monswamy, along with their children Kraidon and Shamarie, plus relatives Cliffy Padayachee, Mooniamma Padayachee, and Mariamma Appanah.
The victims were allegedly been abducted from their home in Newark and their bodies were later discovered in a secluded area near Melmoth. They had been stabbed or shot. One of the victims was also raped by the suspects before being killed.
In a statement, the KZN provincial government said the premier’s attendance underscores the government’s unwavering support for the bereaved families and affected communities, as well as its firm stance against violent crime.
“Premier Ntuli is attending proceedings to stand in solidarity with the victims’ families and to reinforce the call that those accused of such heinous crimes should face the full might of the law, including opposing the granting of bail under these circumstances.”
Dozens of people and members of political parties including the DA and MK Party have also gathered outside the court to call for bail to be denied to the accused.
The KZN Department of Community Safety and Liaison said its staff together with its Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV) activist were also holding a picket outside the court.
The department said collected a number of signatures in a form of a petition that forms part of a united community response to strongly oppose the granting of bail to the suspects.
“The department, alongside civil society, community members, and GBV activists, will stand in solidarity with the bereaved family and send a clear message that violent crimes of this nature cannot be normalised, nor treated with leniency.”
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