•Late wife Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (left) with her daughters Nala, 5, and Natalie, 15
A British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage has been charged with three counts of murder after being arrested in South Africa in connection with the deaths of his wife and two daughters in Bedfordshire.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised charges against Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma shortly after his arrest in Johannesburg yesterday, reports Saturday PUNCH.
It was earlier reported on Thursday that the victims were identified as Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, whose bodies were discovered at their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, after police forced entry following concerns that the family had not been seen for several days.
CCTV footage shows moment the suspect was at the airport fleeing UK on his British passport.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, Emma Davies, said the decision to charge followed a review of evidence submitted by Bedfordshire Police.
Davies said, “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised three charges of murder against Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma following the deaths of his wife and two daughters.
“This comes after the careful review of evidence provided by Bedfordshire Police.
“Our thoughts remain with Zandile, Natalie and Nala’s loved ones and with everyone affected by what has happened.”
South Africa not a safe haven for fugitives
A statement yesterday obtained by our correspondent from the South African Police Service today said Tshuma was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, following a coordinated operation involving multiple specialist units.
It read, “The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, in Kensington, Johannesburg, following an intensive operation involving the SAPS Interpol National Central Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
“Tshuma is wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom in connection with the murder of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (42), and their two daughters, Natalie (15) and Nala (5), whose bodies were discovered at their home near Bedford.
“Through swift operational coordination and intelligence-led policing, SAPS members successfully traced and arrested the fugitive today.”
The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.
“This arrest demonstrates that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives.
“Anyone who believes they can evade justice by fleeing to our country should know that SAPS will work tirelessly with international law enforcement partners to trace, locate and arrest them,” the release further noted.
SAPS said the suspect is expected to appear before a South African court on Monday.
Extradition process under way
Bedfordshire Police said arrangements to return Tshuma to the United Kingdom had already begun.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin described the investigation as a fast-moving international operation involving Bedfordshire Police, the National Crime Agency, Interpol and authorities in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Thanks to the tireless work and dedication of all those involved, we have managed to swiftly locate and arrest Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who we want to speak to in connection with this shocking and tragic case.
“Our investigation remains ongoing and we’ll be working closely with our counterparts in South Africa, as well as the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service, to bring him back to this country,” the police stated.
The deaths of Zandile, Natalie and Nala were announced on Tuesday, a day after their bodies were found at the family’s home on Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham.
In a statement released through police, the family thanked members of the public for their support during what they described as “this time of unimaginable loss.”
The family said, “Your kindness and compassion have brought great strength to our family.”
