Eastern Cape police have made a breakthrough, arresting five suspects believed to have been masterminds behind the abduction and murder of a 51-year-old woman in Qumbu.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, the arrests were made between Thursday and Friday following investigations after the woman's body was found.

It is further alleged that one of the suspects fired a shot towards the victim and grabbed her handbag with personal belongings and further dragged her to their vehicle," Kinana said in a statement.

During the scuffle, the woman's son was also assaulted and sustained injuries to the upper body.

Kinana said the arrested suspects included two women - believed to be sisters and aged between 30 and 40 - a 55-year-old man who was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with rounds of ammunition in New Brighton in Mthatha, and the woman's 55-year-old ex-husband.