Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage who goes by the name Mark, has been arrested, South African police say. The bodies of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and five-year-old Nala were found in a house in Great Denham, Bedfordshire, on July 6.

An international manhunt was launched on Monday and the operation to detain Tshuma involved the SAPS Interpol National Central Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Organised Crime Investigation Unit. A SAPS statement said: “Through swift operational coordination and intelligence-led policing, SAPS members successfully traced and arrested the fugitive today. The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has commended all members involved in the operation for their swift and coordinated response.”

Lieutenant General Dimpane said: "This arrest demonstrates that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives. Anyone who believes they can evade justice by fleeing to our country should know that SAPS will work tirelessly with international law enforcement partners to trace, locate and arrest them,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane."

Tshuma will appear in court on Monday, SAPS said.

Police in Britain said it is believed Tshuma travelled to South Africa from Zimbabwe, after leaving the country on July 4.

Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer at Bedfordshire Police, said: “This has been a fast-moving investigation which has involved multiple law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency, Interpol and authorities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“Thanks to the tireless work and dedication of all those involved, we have managed to swiftly locate and arrest Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who we want to speak to in connection with this shocking and tragic case.

“Our investigation remains ongoing and we’ll be working closely with our counterparts in South Africa, as well as the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service, to bring him back to this country.

“Our thoughts remain very much with Zandile, Natalie and Nala, as well as their loved ones, at this time.”