Aserie Ndlovu case: DNA results of human remains pending
The South African journalism community is in shock following the discovery of human remains, believed to be those of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli.
Mpumalanga News reports the breakthrough came when leads directed the police to the Rapotokwane CCZ Farm (on the D2774 road in Rust de Winter) in Limpopo last Thursday.
The bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition and DNA tests are being conducted to confirm their identity.
On Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the DNA results are still pending.
The discovery comes shortly after five men were arrested in connection with the missing persons case of Ndlovu and Mdhluli, who disappeared in February.
Ndubane said Ndlovu's mother was informed about the discovery of the remains on the same day by KwaMhlanga SAPS investigating officers Warrant Officer William Maapula and Colonel Sarah Radebe, as well as members of the Mamelodi SAPS.
Ndubane said Major General Richard Shibiri telephonically informed Mdhluli's sister-in-law in Tembisa, Gauteng.
8 suspects face multiple charges, including murder
The police have eight suspects in the Ndlovu and Mdhluli case.
Five suspects were arrested on May 4 and appeared in different courts that same week.
Three of the suspects made a court appearance last Wednesday, while Samuel Mogongwe (41) and Michael Sikhosana (40) appeared briefly in the KwaMhlanga Magistrates' Court last Friday on kidnapping charges related to the couple's disappearance.
Three additional suspects, aged between 23 and 43, were arrested in the Nokaneng area in KwaMhlanga on Tuesday. They are expected to appear in court soon.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a statement that the first suspect was last seen with the missing couple. The second, third, and fourth suspects (including a KwaMhlanga mechanic) were found in possession of various vehicle parts, believed to be from Ndlovu's car.
Mathe said two VW Citi Golfs were seized from the suspects.
The case has been upgraded to one of kidnapping and carjacking. Additional charges, including house robbery and possession of stolen property, may be added as investigations continue.
Ndlovu – a celebrated creative
Ndlovu was a versatile journalist, well known in the Mpumalanga community after working at the African Eye News Service in Mbombela. He attended Hlanganani Senior Secondary School in KaBokweni.
He had worked alongside Mandla Khoza, a renowned journalist in Mbombela, who described him as a people's person.
'Our last meeting was in KwaMhlanga some time last year when I followed a story that side. We came down to Mbombela together as he also wanted to touch base with his relatives in Ngodini. We stopped by the Waterval Boven tunnel and he told me about his career advancements, running his community radio station in Mamelodi – called Capital Live SA 99.0 FM – and managing many national artists.'
Khoza expressed shock at Ndlovu's disappearance, saying it was difficult news to bear, particularly as a journalist concerned about safety.
He added that the investigation might reveal details linked to Ndlovu's journalism work.
Media community in mourning
The African Media and Communicators Forum and the National Press Club expressed shock, disbelief, and sadness over the latest news in a joint statement.
'The media fraternity across South Africa has, for the past two and a half months, laboured with the agony of not knowing where the couple had gone,' the statement read.
These journalism organisations had offered a reward of R100k for any information that could lead to the discovery of the couple's whereabouts.
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