A man wanted on suspicion of murdering his wife and two daughters in Bedfordshire has been arrested in Johannesburg, police in South Africa have said.
Arrest in Johannesburg
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, following “an intensive operation involving the SAPS Interpol National Central Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Organised Crime Investigation Unit”, the South African Police Service (Saps) said in a statement on X on Friday. Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage who goes by Mark, was traced and arrested “through swift operational coordination and intelligence-led policing”.
The Victims
Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were found dead in a £1.3 million detached house in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, near Bedford. Concerns were raised on Monday that they had not been seen for several days.
Extradition Proceedings
Bedfordshire Police said Tshuma has been remanded into custody and work is now under way to return him to the UK. He is due to appear in court in South Africa on Monday. Police in Britain believe Tshuma travelled to South Africa from Zimbabwe after leaving the UK on July 4.
Investigation Details
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer at Bedfordshire Police, said: “This has been a fast-moving investigation which has involved multiple law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency, Interpol and authorities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. 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. Our thoughts remain very much with Zandile, Natalie and Nala, as well as their loved ones, at this time.”
