Emalahleni local municipality website
A 62-year-old Ward councillor from the Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape appeared briefly in the Lady Frere Magistrates court in Cacadu on Friday on five counts of murder.
This follows the brutal murders of seven people earlier this week, five of whom were burnt alive.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mthatha, Luxolo Tyali, says two other men were found hanging in a nearby forest.
The ANC councillor for ward 17, Hluphekile (Cecil) Bobotyane, has only been linked to five of the seven murders at this stage.
Tyali says four victims died on the scene and a fifth succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
The victims were between the ages of 21 and 27 and the motive for the killings is still unclear at this stage.
Bobotyane was arrested along with three other suspects who will only appear in court on Monday.
He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on the 23rd of April when he is expected to apply for bail.
Tyali says the NPA will oppose bail.
Investigations are ongoing and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
