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Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the disappearance of a Kidds Beach shop owner and assistant.
The arrests were made in relation to the disappearance of 57-year-old Zoleka Gantana, and her 27-year-old assistant, Kholosa Mpunga, last Sunday outside East London.
Police said investigators received information which led them to a farm where the suspects were subsequently arrested
Spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said the suspects, aged between 44 and 50, were arrested in the area of Peddie after an intensive search and police investigation into the missing women.
“Their arrests were preceded by the recovery of the stolen vehicle belonging to Ms Gantana, which was found stuck in the mud without any person inside or nearby. Groceries were later found in one of the suspect’s home in the farm,” he said.
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“During the investigation, the detectives discovered that both women were murdered with a fire-arm. It is alleged that their bodies were chopped, burnt and subsequently dumped into a dam nearby the farm at Gcinisa Village,” Kinana said.
He added that at this stage police cannot confirm if body parts found in the dam are those of the missing women.
“The circumstances which may have led to the incident are currently forming part of the investigation,” he said.
Premier Mabuyane, on behalf of government and the people of the Eastern Cape, expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked when we experience a loss of life in this gruesome manner. Such incidents impact severely on families, and they are bound to be affected psychologically when such tragedy happens,” he said.
