Suspected Pietermaritzburg tavern killers ordered back in custody

The four suspects arrested in connection with the horrific shooting at the Samkelisiwe tavern in Pietermaritzburg were on Wednesday remanded back in police custody.

The men, aged between 19 and 36 years, appeared briefly at the Pietermaritzburg magistrate’s court and the case was postponed to July 28 for further police investigation.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, commended the investigating team responsible for the arrest of the suspects.

A week ago, a group of gunmen opened fire on patrons at the tavern in Sweet Waters, leaving four people dead and eight wounded.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the team comprising of detectives from the provincial organised crime task team, crime intelligence and the national intervention stabilisation team, joined by Magma private security company, worked around the clock to crack the case.

“The suspects were arrested in the area of Nhlazatshe in Pietermaritzburg. Two of the suspects were found in unlawful possession of a firearm with a total of 17 rounds of ammunition,” said Gwala.

Last week, the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority suspended the trading licence of the tavern owner for three months as a result of the shooting.

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