Two more suspects will join Juanito Moses in the dock of the Malmesbury Magistrates Court, in connection with the fatal mass shooting in Malmesbury over the weekend.

Police recently arrested a 26- and 32-year-old suspect.

SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, confirmed that this now brings the total number of suspects in the case to three.

“…marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation only days after the attack occurred,” said Traut.

Mr Moses was the first suspect arrested, with police having taken him into custody on Monday.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that he appeared in court on Tuesday, with the matter rolled over to Wednesday for all the suspects to appear together.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the three suspects are linked to a local gang operating in the Malmesbury area,” said Traut.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the trio have been charged with two counts of murder and eight of attempted murder.

This follows the fatal shooting in Wesbank in the early hours of Sunday morning, in which a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were fatally shot. Traut advised that further investigation has “since established that the number of attempted murder victims has increased to eight”. Those injured include a one-year-old baby.

Meanwhile, Traut said boots on the ground in Wesbank remain reinforced to prevent the possibility of retaliatory attacks.

“Investigators continue to pursue every available lead as they work to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack. The swift progress made in the case reflects the determination of the investigating team to identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought before the courts. These arrests also underscore SAPS’ continued commitment to rooting out violent crime and disrupting criminal elements that threaten the safety of communities.