Pretoria - Outraged by the murder of eight members of a KwaZulu-Natal family, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called on police to hunt down and bring to book those responsible for the massacre.
Describing the killings as a cowardly act, Mthethwa warned that police would show no mercy to criminals who targeted innocent people.
"With the commission of this barbaric act, our patience has been tested. I have accordingly tasked General Bheki Cele and his team to hunt down and ensure that whoever is behind this, is apprehended," the minister said.
Police discovered the bodies of eight members of a family in Dassenhoek, near Durban, on Monday.
It is believed the family was killed in an arson attack. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
A police forensic team was at the crime scene to gather more information on the deaths.
The victims have been identified as the Mabhida family - Coshela, 48, Sindi, 25, nine-month-old Andiswa, Njabulo, 9, Siphesihle, 7, Owami, 6, and Angelina, 58. Nelisiwe Khumalo, a relative who was visiting the family at the time, was also killed.
National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said a team of experts had been dispatched to investigate the incident and police would "intensify investigation into these senseless deaths."
"We cannot rule out any motive at this stage. The police will work tirelessly to bring the suspects to book. With the assistance of the community, we are going to put an end to such senseless killings," he added.
Police are investigating a case of arson and eight counts of murder.
