The Monswamy family: Allen, 53, Sandy, 57, Kraidon, 26, and Shamaria, 20.
Image: Supplied
THE seven victims of the Newark tragedy have been identified as Allen Monswamy, 52, his wife Sandy, 57, their children Kraidon, 26, and Shamaria, 20, and relatives Gonosagren Padayachee, 51, Mooniamma Padayachee, 78 and Mariama Happanah, 83.
The family were allegedly kidnapped from their home on Tuesday night and their bodies were discovered in Eshowe on Wednesday.
Julie Gengadu, 56, the family’s next door neighbour said: “They were such good people. They were helpful and kept to themselves.
“We did not know that they were kidnapped on Tuesday night. It is believed that the family were taken at 10pm in the back of a bakkie. “The helper came to us yesterday and said the house was opened and ransacked. Kraidon’s girlfriend was trying to get a hold of him and that was when the police came to the house.
“It is truly shocking that it happened right under our noses and we did not know,” she said.
Gonosagren Padayachee, 51, and Mooniamma Padayachee, 78.
Image: Supplied
Another close family friend , who did not want to be named, said she known the family for many years.
“They were loving and kind people. They were always so happy to see people. It is terrible what happened to them because they Sandy and Allen, lost their daughter Ricquelle just two years ago in a serious car accident.
“Now, they have been killed. It is shocking, especially the manner in which they were killed. Our deepest condolences goes out to the remaining family,” the friend said.
Earlier today, police said three suspects, who allegedly kidnapped, robbed, and killed the seven family members aged from 20 to 83, from a house in Newtown, in Newark, on Tuesday night, had been arrested.
It is believed one of the suspects worked for the victims.
According to police, a domestic worker arrived at the family's home on Wednesday morning and found the house broken into.
The seven family members and a vehicle were missing.
Mooniamma Padayachee and Mariama Happanah, 83.
Image: Supplied
Newark police were summoned to the scene and various police units were activated, said the police in the statement.
"Swift police investigations led them to Hlomendlini area where two suspects were arrested on Wednesday afternoon. One of the suspects was found in possession of a cellphone which belonged to one of the kidnapped victims," said the SAPS.
Information directed police investigations to the Dendetu area in Sundumbili where the third suspect was arrested. He was found in possession of a firearm.
A total of 11 cellphones were found in possession of the suspects.
"Police uncovered that one of the suspects had worked for the victims. He and his accomplices allegedly broke into the victims’ house, tied them up with a rope. One of them allegedly raped the 20-year-old woman before loading them into a vehicle which belonged to one of the victims. They drove to Melmoth, approximately 200km from the scene.
“Police also found that the same suspect, who raped the 20-year-old at the house, raped her again in Melmoth, before demanding banking details and personal identification numbers (PIN) from three victims.
Relatives at the family home.
Image: Monishka Govender
“After collecting the banking details, the suspects shot and killed three victims. The other four victims were brutally stabbed to death."
Police also discovered that on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, several bank transfers were made from the victims’ accounts.
The suspects led the police to Melmoth on Wednesday where the bodies of the seven victims - aged between 20 and 83 - were found.
The suspects - aged 21, 26 and 28 - will appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, commended police for the swift arrest of the suspects and instructed the investigating officers to ensure that justice was served so that the families of the victims may get closure.