A man has been accused of three counts of homicide after his wife and two daughters were found dead in Bedfordshire.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, was apprehended in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Friday. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) subsequently approved three murder charges against him.
The deceased were identified as Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, also known as Zandile, along with her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, discovered deceased at a residence in Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham, near Bedford on Monday.
Bedfordshire Police stated that Tshuma has been detained and efforts are being made to repatriate him to the UK.
Tshuma, a British national of Zimbabwean descent who is known as Mark, was located and apprehended by the South African Police Service through swift operational coordination and intelligence-led policing.
The 45-year-old is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, the lead investigator at Bedfordshire Police, commented, “This has been a rapidly progressing investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency, Interpol, and authorities in Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
He added, “Due to the diligent efforts of all involved, we have swiftly located and arrested Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, whom we seek to interview regarding this distressing and tragic incident.”
The investigation is still ongoing, and collaboration with law enforcement counterparts in South Africa, as well as the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service, is ongoing to facilitate Tshuma’s return to the UK.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Zandile, Natalie, and Nala, as well as their families, during this difficult time.”