Cops reveal how they caught 7 people including teen for Philippi massacre
The killers of the seven men shot dead in Philippi tried to burn the bodies of the.
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
A 16-year-old is among the seven suspects that have been arrested in connection with the murder of seven men in Philippi nearly a week ago.
In what police described as a decisive blow to violent crime, detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, with the support of Crime Intelligence, arrested the suspects aged between 16 and 22 on Wednesday night and early on Thursday morning in Philippi East.
Police spokesperson Andre Traut said the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the ongoing effort by police to stamp out violent and organised crime across the province. He said the suspects were traced and arrested during a series of well-coordinated operations that followed days of intensive investigation and intelligence-driven efforts.
Police provincial commissioner Thembisile Patekile hailed the swift and professional actions of both the detectives and Crime Intelligence, describing the arrests as a clear message to those who perpetrate violence.
“We will not tolerate ruthless acts of violence that destroy lives and destabilise our communities. The men and women of the South African Police Service - supported by our intelligence capability - will continue to hunt down those who commit such barbaric crimes. There will be no hiding place for criminals in this province,” said Patekile.
Western Cape police top brass reaffirmed its zero-tolerance approach to violent crime and assured communities that the SAPS will continue to pursue every lead until all those responsible are brought to justice.
Among the seven slain men was 28-year-old Maphelo Msuthu, who, according to his family, will be buried in the Eastern Cape on November 1.
His family previously told the Cape Times that Msuthu was selling insurance in malls around Cape Town with three other young men who are from the same village in the Eastern Cape.
“They were moving around, going to places selling insurance in different malls. He was only there for three weeks. He stayed in Khayelitsha before he moved to Philippi," said his uncle Mzo Msuthu.
Cape Times