Suspects lead police to discovery of human remains believed to be of missing journalist and partner

News24

09-05-2025

Police in Mpumalanga have discovered human remains and clothes during the search for missing journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdluli on Thursday afternoon.
After being reported missing for three months, their families will soon attain closure.
The police confirmed to have been directed to a quiet rural location, Rust De Winter by one of the five suspects that were arrested earlier this week.
The suspects have been charged with hijacking and kidnapping the couple.
The National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said in order to determine that the remains belonged to Ndlovu and Mdluli DNA tests will have to be conducted.
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'The area where the remains were found was pointed out by suspects as the place where they left the pair. The human remains we have found will be taken to pathologists and we will then take DNA samples to match them with the closest relatives, it might need one or two relatives to determine the identity of those remains,'he said.
The couple was last seen in February, Ndlovu in particular was last seen by his colleagues on the 18th around 6 pm leaving work, since then none of the partners could be traced or located.
A week ago, Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) urged the police to broaden the search for the missing couple whilst announcing that they were increasing the reward for any information about the missing couple from R50,000 to R100,000.
On Wednesday the police visited the families of the missing couple and gave them updates on the progress and intensity of their investigations.
During the briefing, Mdhluli's son Treasure expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the time his mother vanished with the journalist.
'As a family, we do believe that we are close to the end, and justice will prevail. For now, we are really grateful for all the support that we are receiving from everyone.
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The five suspects appeared at the kwaMhlanga Magistrates court Friday. This after the matter was postponed on Wednesday due to an application brought by the African Media and Communicators Forum and National Press Club on behalf of the media seeking permission to cover the proceedings.
'We have hired a lawyer to represent the media houses, and the lawyer is ready to proceed,' said Elijah Mhlanga, chairperson of the African Media and Communicators Forum.