News24 | Paroled cop killer among 4 people arrested in connection with Lusikisiki mass shooting

Four people have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape more than two weeks ago. (Lulama Zenzile / Netwerk24)

• All four people linked to a mass shooting in Lusikisiki mass shooting have been arrested.
• Three were taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday morning in KwaZulu-Natal.
• The Eastern Cape mass shooting left 18 people dead.

Four people have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape that left 18 people dead more than two weeks ago.

National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said the arrests were made within 24 hours of the release of an alert about wanted suspects. 

The police declined to release details of the arrests, saying that it "may jeopardise investigations".

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that three of the people were arrested in Port Shepstone during an intelligence-led operation by the Port Shepstone K9 Unit and Public Order Policing officers in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"Police received a tip-off from a community member that the wanted suspects were hiding at a rented accommodation at Mkholombe informal settlement in Port Shepstone. A swift operation was put in motion and the three suspects, aged 22, 24 and 31, were arrested," Netshiunda said.

He said police were still searching for the firearm that was used to commit the murders.

The fourth person who was arrested , 45-year-old parolee Siphosoxolo Myekethe, appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and decided not to apply for bail.

Myekethe was out on parole for the murder of a police officer during a robbery in 2000.

He now faces 18 counts of murder and one count of possession of an unlicenced firearm – an AK-47.

News24 previously reported that police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said preliminary investigations had given police reason to believe the four men would be able to assist in solving the murders.

The three arrests on Wednesday followed this call for information.

Masemola thanked "South Africans from all walks of life for the overwhelming support in providing information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects".

"To those who shared the pictures of these suspects on social media, to all the journalists and media houses that played their watchdog role, we are indebted to you. This is what the SAPS can achieve when the whole country rallies behind our men and women in blue. We thank you, South Africa, for assisting us to stamp the authority of the state," he said.

He also commended the investigating team.