A man suspected of killing his wife and two daughters in England has appeared in court in South Africa as British authorities seek his extradition.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, was arrested in Johannesburg on Friday after allegedly fleeing the United Kingdom following the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.
The three victims were found dead by police at their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, on July 6.
Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service has authorised three murder charges against Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage.
Tshuma appeared before magistrates in Johannesburg on Monday, where he confirmed his identity and indicated that he would speak in English during the proceedings.
He was informed that the case would return to court on July 22.
His mother and sister attended the hearing and sat in the public gallery. Tshuma waved towards them as he was taken back to the court’s holding cells.
South African police said the proceedings relate to Britain’s extradition request as well as a separate allegation of illegal firearm possession.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said South Africa had received a provisional extradition request from Interpol Manchester through Interpol Pretoria.
Authorities are now awaiting a full extradition application, including the case file and supporting evidence, within 40 days.
Mathe said South African authorities had already received a UK arrest warrant for Tshuma.
Police said Tshuma travelled from London’s Heathrow Airport to South Africa via Dubai. He reportedly travelled briefly to Zimbabwe before returning to Johannesburg.
He was arrested in the city’s Kensington district on Friday.
In a statement, relatives of the victims said words could not express the depth of their grief following the “tragic and senseless loss of life”.