> Friday, 14 February, 2003, 10:34 GMT
> Two arrested over Cape gay massacre
>
> Sea Point is known for its gangsterism and drug dealing
>
> Police in South Africa have arrested two men in connection with last month's
> massacre in a gay massage parlour in Cape Town, in which nine people were
> killed.
> The man was questioned and following that he made a full confession before
> a magistrate
>
> A police spokesman, said the two men, aged 42 and 26, were arrested on
> Thursday.
>
> Earlier reports linked the attack at the "Sizzlers" massage parlour to
> either gangsterism, drugs dealing or homophobia but the spokesman, Etienne
> Terblanche, said police now believed the motive was robbery.
>
> Deputy Provincial Commissioner Mzwandile Petros said the arrests followed
> the issuing of identikits of the suspects, and the two men would appear in
> court next week.
>
> 'Horrific attack'
>
> The 42-year-old man was arrested on Thursday morning and his alleged
> accomplice in the evening, Mr Terblanche said.
>
> "The man was questioned and following that he made a full confession before
> a magistrate," he said.
>
> Guns are often a feature in violent crime
>
> The 20 January attack shocked South Africa's gay community.
>
> Cape Town markets itself as a top holiday destination for gay tourists.
>
> Six men were found dead by police in the residential house in the Sea Point
> district of Cape Town.
>
> All the victims had been tied up and shot at close range. Their throats had
> also been slit.
>
> Police described the scene as "horrific", saying there was "an incredible
> amount of blood about".
>
> Three other men injured in the attack later died in hospital.
>
> The only survivor is still placed under police protection programme in
> hospital.
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