A family of seven have been found dead as police arrest three suspects on suspicion of murder. According to the reports, the seven family members were kidnapped from their home in Newark, KwaZulu-Natal, before being executed in Melmoth. The suspects, aged 21, 26, and 28, are expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 April 2026 facing charges of kidnapping, murder, rape, and robbery.

The incident occured on April 21 at a property in Newtown, Newark on the KZN north coast. According to police reports, a domestic worker arrived at the residence on Wednesday morning to find the house broken into and seven family members missing, along with a vehicle. Newark police were immediately summoned, triggering a massive search involving various police units and private security partners.

Investigators uncovered a disturbing sequence of events, including indications that one of the suspects had been employed by the victims.

After forcing their way into the home and restraining the occupants, the suspects allegedly assaulted a 20‑year‑old woman before transporting the group roughly 200km to Melmoth in one of the victims’ vehicles.

Police reported that the woman was assaulted again after arriving in Melmoth, and that the suspects demanded banking information from three of the victims.

the details were obtained, three victims were killed, followed by the remaining four. Digital evidence later showed that multiple transfers were made from the victims’ bank accounts throughout the night and into the following morning.

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KwaZulu-Natal Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, expressed deep concern over the “inside” nature of the crime. Mr Mkhwanazi said: “It is worrisome that one of the suspects was employed by the victims.

“We are urging employers to do background checks on all the people they employ and also study their suspicious behaviour.”