The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of a United Kingdom (UK) murder suspect in Johannesburg in possession of an illegal firearm on Friday, 10 July.
According to the police, the 45year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who is wanted by authorities in the UK for the alleged murders of his wife and two daughters was found with an illegal firearm following his arrest in Johannesburg last week.
The arrest of Tshuma in Johannesburg has been a significant event in the ongoing investigation. His arrest followed an intensive operation involving SAPS, Interpol, and other law enforcement agencies.
SAPS National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe disclosed the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where Tshuma was due to make his first court appearance.
Mathe explained that Tshuma would appear before the court on two separate matters – extradition proceedings to the UK and a charge of possessing an illegal firearm in South Africa.
“Tshuma will make his first court appearance this morning on two separate matters. The first one being the extradition matter,” she said.
She confirmed that South Africa had received a provisional extradition request from Interpol Manchester through Interpol Pretoria, outlining the allegations against Tshuma relating to the deaths of his wife and two daughters.
“We will be awaiting a full extradition request within 40 days that will include the UK case docket, as well as supporting evidence.”
Furthermore, Mathe said that the second matter before the court relates to the illegal firearm allegedly found in Tshuma’s possession.
“We are told that upon arrival in South Africa, he bought a firearm in one of the townships,” Mathe said.
She also mentioned that a separate investigation was under way to establish who sold Tshuma the unlicensed firearm and how he was able to obtain it so easily.
Explaining the extradition process, Mathe said the provisional request includes the arrest warrant issued by UK authorities.
“We will be awaiting the full extradition request within 40 days that will include the entire UK case docket, as well as supporting evidence. It will then be up to the court to determine when he will be extradited back to the UK,” she said.
Mathe said SAPS had worked closely with UK authorities through Interpol throughout the investigation.
“We are all Interpol member countries. We share intelligence, we share information, and we assist each other with cross-border and international investigations,” she said.
