Western Cape police have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the killing of four men whose burnt bodies were discovered near the N7 in Dunoon last month.
The suspect was traced and arrested in Dunoon on Thursday night, marking the first reported arrest in the investigation.
He faces four counts of murder and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on 7 September 2026.
Four bodies found near N7
Police began investigating after the bodies of four men were discovered near the N7 off-ramp to Malibongwe Drive on 23 August.
Officers had been called to the area at about 1:30 pm.
According to police, the victims had been assaulted before they were set alight.
The circumstances that led to the killings remain under investigation.
Police trace suspect in Dunoon
Detectives from the Provincial Serious Violent Crime unit carried out the arrest with assistance from the Tactical Response Team.
Police said the suspect was apprehended during a tracing operation at about 11:30 pm on Thursday.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General SW Dyantyi described the development as an important breakthrough in the case.
He said the manner in which the four victims were killed was deeply concerning and praised investigators for continuing to pursue those believed to be responsible for violent crimes.
Dyantyi also warned against people taking the law into their own hands, saying investigators would continue pursuing perpetrators.
Investigation remains active
The arrest comes nearly two weeks after the four bodies were found.
Police have not disclosed further details about what allegedly led to the attack or the relationship, if any, between the suspect and the victims.
They have also not indicated whether additional suspects are being sought.
SAPS said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue working on the case.
The 44-year-old will now face four murder charges when he appears in court, where the allegations against him will begin moving through the judicial process.