South Africa says it is processing the extradition of a British national of Zimbabwean heritage suspected of murdering his wife and two daughters in early July 2026.

South Africa confirmed the arrest of 45-year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, alias Mark, after he arrived in the country via OR Tambo International Airport on July 5.

Tshuma was traced to Kensington in Johannesburg, where he was taken into lawful custody. South African police said the suspect's family members, who live in the country, provided crucial information that led to his arrest.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Tshuma managed to enter South Africa from the London Heathrow Airport because at the time of his arrival, Britain had not issued a red notice, seeking his arrest through Interpol.

Illegal firearm

Kubayi said Tshuma's extradition process, which entails obtaining permission from a court of law, has begun.

On Monday, July 13, the suspect was arraigned before a magistrate in Johannesburg, where he was charged with being in possession of an illegal firearm, an offence that attracts a possible 15-year jail term for first-time offenders.

South African law enforcement officers suspect that he wanted to use the weapon, which he bought upon landing in the country, to take his own life. The court will also rule on Tshuma's possible extradition, which has been formally requested by Britain.

British authorities treat him as the prime suspect in the murders of his 42-year-old wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, and their daughters, 15-year-old Natalie and 5-year-old Nala.

'Blunt force trauma'

Zandile, a Zimbabwean who acquired dual British nationality, and her daughters had not been seen for several days.

On July 6, police gained entry into their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, a town in Bedfordshire county, which is located nearly 100 kilometres northwest of London.

The bodies of Zandile and her two daughters were found inside the house.

Bedfordshire police said on July 9 that the manner in which they lost their lives was under investigation. On Monday, authorities said that autopsy reports indicated that the three victims died of "blunt force trauma," Sky News reported.

Divorce reports

Zandile's family back in Gwabalanda, a neighbourhood in Zimbabwe's southwestern province of Bulawayo, said on July 10 that they were waiting for the postmortem outcome before they could make funeral arrangements.

British media and Zimbabwe's state-owned newspaper, Herald, report that Zandile's marriage to Tshuma had come under strain in recent times, and that she was allegedly planning to file for divorce.

Quoting neighbours and domestic workers familiar with the developments, the reports indicated that the couple was seeking a buyer for their four-bedroom house valued at £1.3 million, an equivalent of $1.7 million.

Additionally, Zandile was reportedly seeking primary custody of their daughters upon divorce.

Three murder charges approved

The said-divorce allegations could not be independently verified, as Zandile's family urged the media to respect their "privacy during this profoundly difficult time."

Britain's prosecution body, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said it had authorised Tshuma's arraignment, directing that he should face three murder charges.

Chief prosecutor Emma Davies said CPS made the decision "after the careful review of evidence provided by Bedfordshire police."

The head teacher of Pilgrims Pre Prep School, where 5-year-old Nala was a pupil, said she was "known for her inquisitive and bubbly nature, positivity, and wonderful sense of humour."

'Loving and patient'

The headmistress of Bedford Girls' School, where 15-year-old Natalie was a Year 10 student, said the deceased was "a talented dancer, musician and keen sportswoman", who was "fun-loving and full of life."

Zandile's cousin, Michelle Ncube, said in a statement that the mother-of-two was "loving, most patient, and demure", adding that she had "this warmth and this compassion that really drew you in."

The main suspect, Tshuma, was a businessman in Britain, and had a lengthy career background in information technology.

His spouse, Zandile, was an accomplished investigator of financial crimes.