Western Cape Police have made a breakthrough with the arrests of five suspects in connection with the recent mass killings in Philippi East.

Four suspects were arrested yesterday, two of whom are juveniles, following a gruesome attack on 30 September, where two victims were shot and set alight, and a third escaped.

Detectives have since connected the case to another brutal mass murder in October, in which seven people were killed and burned.

Initially, seven suspects were arrested for the October killings.

Following further investigations, five suspects in total, arrested in both cases, now face multiple murder and attempted murder charges and are expected in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court today, where the two matters will be joined.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, has commended the investigating team for their persistence.

“These arrests send a clear message that the South African Police Service will not tolerate barbaric acts of violence that rob communities of their safety and dignity. The dedication displayed by the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit reflects our resolve to hunt down and dismantle criminal groups who terrorise our communities.”

Patekile has emphasised that “no act of violence will go unpunished” and that witnesses have come forward to assist the investigation. They will now act as state witnesses in the case against the five accused.