THE Gauteng police have confirmed the arrest of two suspects said to be linked to the July 2022, Nomzamo shooting incident, which resulted in the death of 16 patrons and seven injuries.
In the early hours of July 10, unknown assailants, believed to be Basotho nationals, stormed KwaMdlalose tavern in Nomzamo, Orlando East, in Soweto and randomly opened fire on those inside the establishment. This arrest of the two suspects comes on the back of the release of names of the suspected killers last month.
According to national SAPS spokesperson Brenda Muridili, the two alleged killers were rounded up on Thursday, September 22, 2022 by the National Crime Intelligence officers. One of the suspects pointed out the whereabouts of the second suspect.
"The National Intelligence officers arrested one suspect who was then linked to the Nomzamo shooting incident, in Johannesburg.
The suspect was handed over to Gauteng’s Murder and Robbery Investigating Team. He then led the team to one of his accomplices who was arrested in Northern Cape on September 23, 2022.The team proceeded to arrest two more suspects linked to a murder case, for an incident that occurred in Kliptown in October 2021, where a Lesotho musician was killed. He is also linked to another murder and attempted murder case that occurred in Orlando in May 2022," Muridili said.
Another person, believed to be the fourth suspect, is reported to have been arrested on a warrant of arrest for another Soweto murder in Doornkop. He was apprehended on a warrant of arrest for a double murder incident that occurred in Doornkop in 2021, where two Basotho nationals were killed. The Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lt-Gen Elias Mawela has commended the team and National Crime Intelligence for the breakthrough on the case. Investigations are continuing and more arrests are expected," Muridili said. However, the police have not confirmed if the arrested suspects are the same suspects whose names were released in August. All four suspects will appear before the Orlando Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (Monday, September 26, 2022).
Last month, the police said the suspects, among them, Tshepisong Elliot Radebe, Thabang Radikatara, Tshidiso Moleko, Keletso Rabasotho and Sarel Lehlanya Sello were the criminals responsible for the Soweto Tavern massacre. It is understood that the gunmen were armed with 9mm pistols as well as an AK47. Twelve of the victims, aged 19-35, died on the scene while two others died on the way to the hospital and another two died in hospital, days after the incident.