A grieving Newark family is preparing to face three suspects accused of carrying out the mass killing of seven relatives, as the case heads to court on Tuesday. Members of the Monswamy family were found dead in Melmoth last Wednesday, a day after they were kidnapped from their home. The brutal incident has sent shockwaves across the country.
The accused are expected to make their first appearance at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court. Police have indicated that one additional suspect remains at large.
It has also emerged that one of the suspects was allegedly known to the family and is believed to have previously worked for them.
The matter had initially been scheduled for Friday but was postponed by the court and investigating officers.
Over the weekend, hundreds of mourners gathered at Stanger High School for a joint funeral service honouring Allen and Sandy Monswamy, their children Kraidon and Shamaria, and relatives Gonosagren Padayachee, Mooniamma Padayachee and Mariama Happanah.
Community leaders say the killings have left residents deeply traumatised. Newark Community Policing Forum representative Vusi Mawela described the incident as one of the most horrific crimes ever experienced in the area.
“This has shaken the entire community,” Mawela said, adding that the scale and brutality of the murders have left a lasting impact on residents along the north coast.