Missing journalist and partner: Deputy police minister, SAPS commissioner to visit families
Community radio journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli have been missing since February 18.
Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, together with national commissioner of the SA Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, will on Wednesday meet families of missing journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli.
IOL reported on Monday that four people have been arrested, linked to the disappearance of the couple in February. The couple was last seen on February 18, 2025, leaving their home in Mpumalanga in a white Volkswagen Citi Golf.
SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said deputy national commissioner of crime detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya will also form part of the briefing at KwaMhlanga police station.
The delegation will thereafter attend court proceedings of the man arrested in connection with the disappearance of the couple.
IOL reported on Tuesday that one of the four arrested suspects was working for Mdhluli as a metered cab driver.
Two of the four arrested suspects on Tuesday appeared before the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga in connection with the disappearance of the couple. The arrested driver was meant to appear in court in Mamelodi on Tuesday, but was transferred to Mpumalanga.
"The suspect who was meant to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrates Court has been transferred to KwaMhlanga for jurisdiction purposes because the incident happened in KwaMhlanga. He is now expected to appear before the KwaMhlanga Magistrates Court," said Mathe.
Earlier, Mathe said the arrested driver was quite familiar with the missing couple.
"At least at this stage, none of the four suspects that are in police custody are relatives of the couple. The first suspect, according to our evidence that we have gathered, he works for the partner of the missing journalist. So he was quite familiar, and he was a person that is known to this couple," she told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
"The other three, one of them being a mechanic - we are not too sure how they relate, but we can say all four of these suspects worked in cahoots. That is why they are also facing those additional charges of kidnapping, and hijacking."
Police have intensified their efforts, seeking to find the missing couple.
Mathe said the second, third, and fourth suspects that have been arrested were found with different vehicle parts believed to belong to the VW Citi Golf owned by Ndlovu.
"One of those arrested is said to be a mechanic who builds and fixes cars in the KwaMhlanga area. Two Volkswagen Citi Golfs that were found in possession of the suspects have been seized," said Mathe.
She added that the case has now changed from missing persons to kidnapping and car hijacking.
"Additional charges such as house robbery and being in possession of stolen property are likely to be added."
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Man falls to his death from Hotel Sky rooftop in Cape Town
A man lost his life after reportedly jumping from the rooftop of Hotel Sky, in Cape Town, Western Cape. In a heart-wrenching incident on Monday afternoon, a man lost his life after reportedly jumping from the rooftop of Hotel Sky, in Cape Town, Western Cape. According to reports, the man bought a ticket for the Sky-HI ride before jumping off the building Local authorities have implemented road closures while they meticulously process the site of the incident. Commuters in and around the area are advised to approach with caution. Significant delays are expected as traffic is rerouted to facilitate emergency procedures and investigative efforts. Cape Town police are yet to provide further details. *This is a developing story. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Nedbank responds to R40 billion lawsuit over fraud listing of Durban businessman
One of South Africa's biggest banks Nedbank is facing a R39.8 billion civil claim brought by Durban business Shaun Naidu Image: Supplied Nedbank says it is defending a R39.8 billion civil claim brought by Durban businessman Shaun Naidu, who alleges the bank wrongly listed him as a suspected fraudster for eight years. The bank told IOL that it follows a 'meticulous and thorough process' before listing anyone on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) database, but declined further comment as the matter is before the courts. 'As the matter is before the court, Nedbank cannot comment at this time. We can however confirm that we are defending the matter,' the bank told IOL. 'Nedbank would like to assure our clients that we adhere to a meticulous and thorough process before listing anyone on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) database. Please be assured that we are committed to resolving this matter in accordance with the principles of fairness and justice.' According to a Sunday Times report, Naidu alleges that Nedbank wrongly classified him as a suspected fraudster, leading to an eight-year listing on the SAFPS that he claims severely harmed his business and reputation. 'I was told I was tagged by Nedbank on the Shamwari database which was created and is maintained by SAFPS. Due to this listing, I couldn't open a bank account at any banking institution. I was very confused at this stage," Naidu told the Sunday Times. Naidu revealed that he became aware of his listing on the SAFPS in 2015 when he attempted to open a bank account. The Durban businessman said despite obtaining a police clearance and seeking assistance from both SAFPS and the National Credit Regulator, his name remained on the fraud database until 2021. It was only after his lawyers intervened through a formal dispute process that the listing was removed. "Besides losing lucrative business deals, I was not able to travel to international trade fairs that I was invited to for more possible business deals". The SAFPS is a non-profit organisation which aims to "improve vigilance with regards to fraud, financial crime and identity theft by educating businesses and consumers about fraud, and assisting them to protect themselves". The organisation also strives "to combat fraud through delivering a centralised fraud-prevention function." [email protected] IOL Business
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Nedbank responds to R40 billion lawsuit over fraud listing of Durban businessman
One of South Africa's biggest banks Nedbank is facing a R39.8 billion civil claim brought by Durban business Shaun Naidu Image: Supplied Nedbank says it is defending a R39.8 billion civil claim brought by Durban businessman Shaun Naidu, who alleges the bank wrongly listed him as a suspected fraudster for eight years. The bank told IOL that it follows a 'meticulous and thorough process' before listing anyone on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) database, but declined further comment as the matter is before the courts. 'As the matter is before the court, Nedbank cannot comment at this time. We can however confirm that we are defending the matter,' the bank told IOL. 'Nedbank would like to assure our clients that we adhere to a meticulous and thorough process before listing anyone on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) database. Please be assured that we are committed to resolving this matter in accordance with the principles of fairness and justice.' According to a Sunday Times report, Naidu alleges that Nedbank wrongly classified him as a suspected fraudster, leading to an eight-year listing on the SAFPS that he claims severely harmed his business and reputation. 'I was told I was tagged by Nedbank on the Shamwari database which was created and is maintained by SAFPS. Due to this listing, I couldn't open a bank account at any banking institution. I was very confused at this stage," Naidu told the Sunday Times. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Naidu revealed that he became aware of his listing on the SAFPS in 2015 when he attempted to open a bank account. The Durban businessman said despite obtaining a police clearance and seeking assistance from both SAFPS and the National Credit Regulator, his name remained on the fraud database until 2021. It was only after his lawyers intervened through a formal dispute process that the listing was removed. "Besides losing lucrative business deals, I was not able to travel to international trade fairs that I was invited to for more possible business deals". The SAFPS is a non-profit organisation which aims to "improve vigilance with regards to fraud, financial crime and identity theft by educating businesses and consumers about fraud, and assisting them to protect themselves". The organisation also strives "to combat fraud through delivering a centralised fraud-prevention function." IOL Business
