A British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage has been charged with three counts of murder after being arrested in South Africa in connection with the deaths of his wife and two daughters in Bedfordshire.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised charges against Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma shortly after his arrest in Johannesburg on Friday.
The victims were identified as Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, whose bodies were discovered at their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, after police forced entry following concerns that the family had not been seen for several days.
CCTV footage reportedly shows the moment the suspect was at the airport fleeing the UK on his British passport.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, Emma Davies, said the decision to charge followed a review of evidence submitted by Bedfordshire Police.
"The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised three charges of murder against Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma following the deaths of his wife and two daughters.
"This comes after the careful review of evidence provided by Bedfordshire Police. Our thoughts remain with Zandile, Natalie and Nala's loved ones and with everyone affected by what has happened," Davies said.
The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the country's commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.
‘This arrest demonstrates that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives. Anyone who believes they can evade justice by fleeing to our country should know that SAPS will work tirelessly with international law enforcement partners to trace, locate and arrest them,’ the statement further noted.
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