Sunday, January 20, 2008
Spokesperson Captain Stephen Marais said the two Somali men were found dead inside their spaza shop in Duncan village on January 6.
The shop had been burnt down. Several spent cartridges were found inside the shop.
The two men were identified as Said Khalif Jama, aged 17, and Badal Shiek Mohamed, aged 26.
On January 6 police arrested a 39-year-old man who was in possession of a generator stolen from the shop.
On Thursday, three men, aged 21, 23 and 24, were arrested with the help of the community and the Crime Intelligence Gathering Unit.
The men were in possession of some of the stolen spaza shop property.
On Saturday police followed a lead that led them to a house where two firearms, believed to have been used in the murders, and ammunition were found.
The firearms would be sent for ballistic tests while police establish who the guns belonged to.
Also on Saturday, police arrested three men between the ages of 18 and 23 who were believed to be involved in the murders.
All seven of the men stand accused on charges of murder, armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and arson. They would appear before the East London Magistrate's Court soon.
Two more men suspected of being involved in the murders would be arrested shortly, said Marais.
Police called on members of the community who have information to phone their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Police asked members of the community not to try and apprehend these men as they were dangerous, said Marais.
Source: Sapa, Jan 18, 2008