JOHANNESBURG — A 45-year-old British citizen suspected of murdering his wife and two daughters at their home in England has been arrested in Johannesburg after purchasing an illegal firearm, South African police revealed.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, a British national of Zimbabwean heritage, appeared before a Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Monday. He was remanded in custody until July 22 so that authorities can determine whether he is in South Africa lawfully.
South African authorities have charged him with illegal possession of a firearm — an offense that can carry up to 15 years in prison for first-time offenders. The court will also weigh whether Tshuma should be extradited to Britain to face murder charges there.
British prosecutors have given police the go-ahead to charge Tshuma with three counts of murder after the bodies of his wife, 42, and his two daughters, aged 15 and 5, were discovered at the family’s residence in Bedfordshire earlier this month.
Tshuma had departed Britain through Heathrow Airport before the victims were found, according to South African police.
South African police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told reporters that investigators believe Tshuma purchased the weapon shortly after arriving in the country. “According to our investigation, after landing in South Africa on July 5, he then went to one of the townships and he bought this particular unlicensed firearm,” Mathe said. “It is our suspicion that this … firearm was going to be used to end his life.”
Mathe confirmed that South Africa had received a provisional extradition request from Britain, though officials are still awaiting the full formal documentation.
She also noted that Tshuma’s own family members in South Africa assisted police in tracking him down. “His family did not harbour him. … They played a very pivotal role,” Mathe said.
