Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed claims that the family of alleged triple murder suspect Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma harboured him after he fled the United Kingdom, saying his relatives instead played a crucial role in helping investigators locate and arrest him.
Tshuma, who is wanted in the United Kingdom in connection with the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (née Khumalo), and their daughters, Natalie and Nala, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday following his arrest in Sandton on Friday.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika outside the court, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said South African authorities had already received a provisional extradition request from Interpol Manchester through Interpol Pretoria.
“I can confirm that Mark Tshuma will make his first court appearance today. There are two separate matters before court. The first is the extradition matter,” she said.
Brig Mathe said South Africa received a provisional extradition request from Interpol Manchester through Interpol Pretoria.
“We are awaiting the full extradition request, which will include the full UK case docket with supporting evidence,” she said.
Brig Mathe said the provisional request includes the UK arrest warrant outlining the charges Tshuma faces.
“It includes the warrant of arrest detailing the charges he is facing in the UK, including the murders of his wife Zandile and his daughters Natalie and Nala,” she said.
Brig Mathe said Tshuma also faces a separate charge in South Africa after he was allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed firearm upon his arrest.
“On Friday during his arrest, he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. According to our investigation, after landing in South Africa on 5 July, he went to one of the townships where he bought this firearm,” she said.
“We have a separate investigation being conducted by Gauteng Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence to trace the person who sold him the firearm.”
Brig Mathe said police suspect Tshuma intended to use the firearm to commit suicide before he could be arrested.
“It is our suspicion that this particular firearm was going to be used to end his life. It is commendable that our teams worked quickly to arrest him before that process could unfold so that he can answer to the crimes he allegedly committed in the UK,” she said.
Brig Mathe dismissed speculation that Tshuma’s relatives had shielded him from investigators.
“We have seen his mother and his brother in court this morning. Yes, he has family in South Africa, but I think we must make it quite clear that his family did not harbour him,” she said.
“They assisted us greatly in apprehending him and played a very pivotal role together with SAPS Interpol Pretoria and our organised crime investigation teams.”
Brig Mathe also clarified how Tshuma was able to enter South Africa without being intercepted at the border.
“When he entered South Africa on 5 July, authorities in the UK had only discovered the bodies on 6 July. He had not yet been circulated as a wanted fugitive by Interpol,” she said.
“What is commendable is that even before Interpol issued the Red Notice, SAPS Interpol Pretoria and our organised crime investigators in Gauteng were already following leads. They visited the hotel where he had checked in and followed up several addresses and contacts linked to him.”
Brig Mathe said the arrest demonstrated that South Africa was not a refuge for international fugitives.
“South Africa is not a safe haven for criminals. It also speaks to the operational excellence, professionalism and expertise of SAPS teams who work tirelessly to arrest wanted fugitives,” she said.
