A Zimbabwean-born IT consultant sought in connection with the deaths of his wife and two daughters in the United Kingdom has been arrested in South Africa after an international manhunt involving Interpol.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark Tshuma, 45, was taken into custody in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Friday after investigators traced his movements across several countries following the discovery of his family’s bodies in Bedfordshire.
Confirming the arrest, South African Police Service (SAPS) National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers, working alongside Interpol, located Tshuma within hours.
“Within a matter of hours,” Mathe said, police were able to track him to Kensington in Johannesburg.
She added: “Let this be a stern warning to criminals across the world that South Africa is not a hiding place for fugitives.”
Authorities said Tshuma is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
SAPS also confirmed that he was found in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest. Investigators are now examining whether the weapon was brought into South Africa illegally, while police continue to liaise with their counterparts in the United Kingdom.
According to investigators, Tshuma left Britain on July 4, just two days before the bodies of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were discovered at the family’s £1.3 million home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire.
Police believe he flew from Heathrow Airport to Dubai before travelling to Johannesburg. He is also understood to have briefly travelled to his native Zimbabwe before returning to South Africa, where he was eventually arrested.
Bedfordshire Police launched an international search after the family was found dead, prompting Interpol to issue a Red Notice seeking his arrest.
South Africa has an extradition agreement with the United Kingdom, and authorities are expected to begin legal proceedings that could see Tshuma returned to Britain, where he is expected to be questioned and may face criminal charges.
Earlier this week, Bedfordshire Police released CCTV footage showing Tshuma passing through Heathrow Airport while carrying a boarding pass and pushing a dark blue suitcase.
The search for the suspect lasted five days, during which members of his late wife’s family reportedly hired a private investigations firm in Harare to help establish his whereabouts.
When contacted by The Telegraph, Tshuma’s mother, Patricia Tshuma, who lives on the outskirts of Bulawayo, declined to discuss the investigation, saying she would only speak to the relevant authorities.
The deaths have sent shockwaves through both the Zimbabwean diaspora and communities in the United Kingdom.
A spokesperson for the family described the tragedy as devastating.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life, a young beautiful family that has needlessly lost their lives and future. We are all grappling to make sense of this tragedy. I don’t know if it will ever be possible for us to find closure.”
In a separate statement issued through Bedfordshire Police, relatives from the Khumalo family thanked the public for its support.
“The Khumalo family is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our beloved Zandile (Nothabo) Khumalo and her two children.
“During this time of unimaginable loss, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out with prayers, messages of comfort, and support.
“Your kindness and compassion have brought great strength to our family.”
Friends told British media that Nothabo, widely known as Zandile, had been in the process of divorcing her husband before her death.
Originally from Zimbabwe, she relocated to the UK in 2011 and established a successful career in financial crime and fraud investigations. She held positions with Barclays and KPMG before becoming an associate director at the Forensic Risk Alliance.
Companies House records show Tshuma is the sole director of Nexus Trove Holdings, a property business registered at the family’s Great Denham address. The company reported assets of more than £1 million at the end of 2024 and a profit of £48,277 during the year.
The family bought their four-bedroom home, which includes a swimming pool, for £1.27 million in May 2024.
Their daughters attended private schools in Bedfordshire, with Natalie enrolled at Bedford Girls’ School and Nala attending Pilgrims Pre-Prep School.
Police investigations in both the UK and South Africa remain ongoing.
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