Eight arrested, firearm recovered at alleged criminal’s funeral ‘ritual’

The police on Monday said eight people have been arrested at a cemetery in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal.

The arrest was made after the police received complaints from residents about spinning and the firing of guns at what is understood to have been a funeral ritual for an alleged criminal.

The police said eight suspects, aged between 22 and 35 were arrested for illegal possession of a firearm at a cemetery on Saturday.
They were arrested by Richmond members together with public order.

“On October 3, there was a funeral for an alleged criminal, Nkanyiso Mkhize, who was found dead with his friend, Mlamuli Phungula.”

“Police were alerted about the spinning of vehicles and random shootings at the cemetery and proceeded to the area,” said the police.

“On arrival, police found people leaving. Police searched all the vehicles leaving the cemetery.”

“A pistol with its serial number filed off was recovered from a vehicle with eight occupants.”

The bodies of Mkhize and Phungula were found dumped in bushes within the Alexandra Road policing precinct.

“It is alleged they were both kidnapped from the Richmond CBD on September 26.”

“Mkhize had been charged for a murder that occurred on August 4 when Ntuthuko Ndlovu was shot and killed in Richmond.”

KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner Maj-Gen Thulani Gonya was pleased with arrests.

“The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in the commission of crime,” he said.

The suspects will appear in the Richmond magistrate’s court on Monday.