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.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma has been arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, after “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.
Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile; Natalie, 15; and Nala, five, were found dead in a £1.3 million detached house in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, near Bedford, after concerns were raised on Monday that they had not been seen for several days.
Bedfordshire Police said Tshuma has been remanded into custody and work is now under way to return him to the UK.
Saps said the suspect, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage who goes by Mark, was traced and arrested “through swift operational coordination and intelligence-led policing”.
The force said the 45-year-old is due to appear in court on Monday.
Police in Britain said it is believed Tshuma travelled to South Africa from Zimbabwe, after leaving the country on July 4.
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.”
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