Man charged with triple murder over death of wife and two daughters in Bedford after South Africa arrest
A Bedfordshire man has been charged with three counts of murder following the deaths of his wife and two daughters.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, was arrested in South Africa, police in the country said on Friday.
Shortly after his arrest, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the United Kingdom, in Kensington, Johannesburg, said it had authorized charges against him.
Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile; Natalie, 15; and five-year-old Nala were found dead in a £1.3 million detached house in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, near Bedford, on Monday after concerns were raised that they had not been seen for several days.
CPS Chief Prosecutor Emma Davies said: “The Crown Prosecution Service authorized three murder charges against Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma following the deaths of his wife and two daughters.
“This follows careful consideration of the evidence provided by Bedfordshire Police.
“Our thoughts are with Zandile, Natalie and Nala’s loved ones and everyone affected by what happened.
“Since criminal proceedings are active, nothing that might prejudice the defendant’s right to a fair trial should not be reported, commented on or shared online.”
The South African Police Service (Saps) said in a statement on X on Friday that Tshuma was arrested following “an intensive operation involving the SAPS Interpol National Central Bureau, Criminal Intelligence and Organized Crime Investigation Unit”.
Saps said the suspect, a British national of Zimbabwean origin named Mark, was tracked down and arrested “through rapid operational coordination and intelligence-led policing”.
Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, said: “This arrest shows that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives. Anyone who believes they can escape justice by fleeing to our country should know that the SAPS will work tirelessly with international law enforcement partners to track, find and arrest them.”
British police said Tshuma is believed to have traveled from Zimbabwe to South Africa after leaving the country on July 4.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer at Bedfordshire Police, said: “This is a fast-moving investigation involving a number of 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 everyone involved, we were able to quickly locate and arrest Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, whom we wish to speak to in relation to this shocking and tragic incident.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we will work closely with our colleagues 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 mostly with Zandile, Natalie and Nala at this time, as well as their loved ones.”
Subscriber Here To get the latest updates from The Independent
