Newark family murder case postponed over safety concerns

By Johnathan Paoli

The first court appearance of the three men suspected in the killing of a family of seven in Newtown, Newark, KwaZulu-Natal has been postponed to next week due to security concerns.

Making the announcement outside the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning, KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed that both the investigators and the court agreed on the postponement.

“The court and investigating officers came to an agreement that the suspects will make their first appearance on Tuesday,” Netshiunda said.

Media houses have applied for permission to record and livestream the proceedings, with a ruling on those applications expected before the next court date.

The seven victims have been named in reports as local businessman Allen Monswamy (52), his wife Sandy (57), their children Kraidon (26) and Shamaria (20), and relatives Gonosagren Padayachee (51), Mooniamma Padayachee (78) and Mariama Happanah (83).

They were allegedly kidnapped from their