Foreign national linked to the mass Umlazi killings arrested

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KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a 28-year-old foreign national in connection with the mass murder of six men at an informal settlement in Umlazi, shedding light on what investigators believe was a revenge-fuelled attack.

Victims targeted in apparent revenge attack

The killings took place on the night of 17 August 2024 in V/6 Section, Umlazi, when a group of six men and three women were socialising and consuming alcohol. Two men approached the group, asking to buy cigarettes, but were told no one was selling. Moments later, the men returned armed and instructed the women to lie down before opening fire on the men. All six victims were declared dead at the scene.

Police later determined the shooting was likely revenge-motivated.

“Investigations uncovered that the killings were revenge-motivated,” police said.

The deceased, who were reportedly Xhosa-speaking, had allegedly clashed with Swati foreign nationals living in the same area before the incident.

Suspect nabbed in Gauteng

After months of intensive investigation, detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit traced one of the suspects to Krugersdorp in Gauteng. The suspect, identified as Melusi Dlamini, a 28-year-old Swati foreign national, was arrested on 4 July.

The foreign national now faces six counts of murder, along with charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Dlamini appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on 7 July. He abandoned his bail application, and the court remanded his case to 14 August.