Latest news with #SibusisoAserieNdlovu
IOL News
18-06-2025
- IOL News
Tribute held for journalist Sibusiso Ndlovu and partner Zodwa Mdluli
The memorial service of Journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers A moving tribute was held at the GCIS offices in Pretoria on Wednesday, hosted by the National Press Club, where colleagues, friends, and family gathered to honour the memory of the Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdluli. Their bodies were found dumped in a bush at the border of Limpopo and Mpumalanga last month after they went missing on February 18, 2025. Legendary musician Vusi Mahlasela, speaking on behalf of the family, said the tragic loss of Ndlovu and Mdluli is hard to accept, but brings a sense of closure. He described Ndlovu as being like a son to him, known for his energetic personality, and revealed they had even co-written songs together. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ He shared that he had helped Ndlovu launch his online radio station known as Capital Live FM, with some of the first broadcasts taking place in his own recording studio. 'Sibusiso was part of me, part of my family. At home Sibusisio would be somebody who would manage some of the other things that I would ask him to do…I will miss his hand. I will miss his advice. I will miss his love,' he said. Mdluli's son, Treasure Mdluli, fondly recalled the good times with his late mother, describing her as an exceptionally kind person. 'I do not recall a day where she raised her voice at me, no matter how many mistakes I made,' he said. Ndlovu's colleague, Mpho Hadzi from Capital Live, said after working with him for 10 years, the tribute allows people to honour and celebrate his life and legacy. He shared a fond memory of how Ndlovu never let passengers play their own music in his car, but there was one exception when he made an allowance on a trip to Polokwane. The SAPS recounted the efforts that followed after Ndlovu and Mdluli were reported missing, saying the SAPS worked tirelessly day and night, walking the journey with the families from start to finish. A missing person's case was initially opened in Mamelodi, and the investigation led to KwaMhlanga, specifically Mahlabathini, their place of residence, where a break-in at a house was discovered. A case of housebreaking and theft was opened at KwaMahlanga SAPS, but two days later, a missing person report was filed for Zodwa Mdluli. Further investigation reclassified the case to house robbery, kidnapping, and recovery of stolen goods. A four-day search by the task team culminated in the discovery of two bodies in a dense, bushy area on the Limpopo-Mpumalanga border. DNA samples from relatives subsequently confirmed the remains were those of the missing couple. The case is still pending at the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court, with the next hearing scheduled for June 20, 2025. The arrested suspects remain in police custody, with none having been granted bail.
The South African
05-06-2025
- The South African
Human remains confirmed as those of missing journalist and partner
Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu. Images: Facebook/ Home » Human remains confirmed as those of missing journalist and partner Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu. Images: Facebook/ The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that the human remains found in Limpopo are those of missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli.'The South African Police Service (SAPS) has concluded its extensive tests and analysis of human remains found in Rust De Winter earlier presumed to be that of missing Pretoria journalist and his partner. 'The SAPS can now confirm that a DNA analysis has been concluded and has positively linked the remains to that of Aserie Ndlovu and Zodwa Mdhluli,' said the SAPS. The couple had been missing since 18 February 2025. In a statement on Wednesday, the police said the human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased.'A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are that of the missing couple,' said the police, adding that the families of the deceased have been SAPS added that suspects arrested in this case are currently appearing before the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court on various charges ranging from kidnapping, house robbery to possession of stolen property. Last month the police discovered the two bodies after a lengthy and thorough investigation by a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement agencies. Also last month, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, thanked members of the public for their cooperation and assistance in the case. This after the SAPS issued an alert requesting members of the public to assist police in tracing two outstanding suspects in the case. Post your condolences below, by … Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- IOL News
Four suspects charged with murder in the case of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and partner
Police believe the human remains found in Limpopo are of Pretoria journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, who vanished in February 18. Image: Screengrab/X Four men have been charged with two counts of murder following the discovery of two human remains believed to be of missing Pretoria journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The couple was last seen on February 18, 2025, at their home in Mpumalanga, in their white Volkswagen Citi Golf. The four arrested men, Samuel Mogongwe, Lucky Sikhosana, Sello Uoane and Thato Madisha are now facing charges of murder, accused of brutally murdering Ndlovu and Mdhluli by shooting them. Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa told IOL that two of the four accused men will not be seeking bail. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu Image: Supplied 'All four accused who are charged for the disappearance of the victims appeared before the KwaMhlanga Magistrates' Court (on Monday). Two of them abandoned bail and two will proceed with their application,' she said. 'The matter was postponed to 29 May 2025. Two counts of murder were added to the accused.' Last week, IOL reported that police have found the remains of two people who are believed to be the couple which vanished mysteriously in February. National commissioner of the SA Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, told journalists that the remains of the two people will now undergo rigorous tests to determine their identity. The results of the DNA tests are yet to be announced. "The process with the human remains we have found, they would be taken to the pathologists and we will take DNA, process it with the closest relatives - it might be one or two relatives to determine the identity of those remains. "Then we can confirm that it is indeed them or not," Masemola, who was with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu addressed journalists in Bloemfontein at the funeral of 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge who lost her life last month, alongside two colleagues, following a horrific crash at the Hennops River in Tshwane. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Earlier this month, IOL reported that the African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) have increased the reward for information about the missing couple from R50,000 to R100,000, while appealing to authorities to act. The arrested suspects initially faced charges including kidnapping the couple and hijacking their white Volkswagen Polo, regularly driven by Ndlovu. IOL News
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Understanding the surge in SA kidnappings
From the eerie disappearance of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli to the action-packed abduction of US pastor Josh Sullivan, there seems to be vulnerability in our society that is being sorely exploited, says the writer Tswelopele Makoe SOUTH Africa, our society, is being consumed by a mounting and deeply unsettling crisis - one that is easy to overlook, until it reaches your doorstep. Every day, two people are kidnapped in our society. In the last year alone, over 17,000 kidnapping cases were reported by Statista. This amounts to a harrowing 260% increase over the last decade. These astonishing figures do not even encapsulate the whole picture. Rather, they are part of a larger, far more disturbing trend: the rise of disappearances in our society. From the bravest of men to the most delicate children, women, professionals, and so many other ordinary citizens everywhere are being snatched from our streets, never to be seen again. From the eerie disappearance of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli to the action-packed abduction of US pastor Josh Sullivan, there seems to be vulnerability in our society that is being sorely exploited. Very recently, the kidnapping of a Gqeberha shop owner has not only spotlighted the brazenness with which ransom kidnappings are taking place, but also the recurrent threat that they represent to the growth of our economy. Not even a year ago, Gqeberha businessman Calvin Naidoo was abducted in the very same way. This disturbing trend seems to extend beyond ages and locations, with defenceless children being amongst the most affected. This past Tuesday, 11-year-old Jayden Lee's body was traumatically discovered on a staircase at his home. Concurrently, the heart-wrenching case of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith came to a head as the High Court's Western Cape Division officially convicted her mother, Jacquen Rowhan Appollis (alongside Steveno Dumaizio van Rhyn and Racquel Chantel Smith), for the Trafficking and ultimate slavery of the young girl. According to the South African Government, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) revealed that kidnappings reported to the police in South Africa have almost quadrupled over the last decade, amounting to a whopping 260%. A concerning majority of kidnappings involved ransom and extortion tactics, showing an inclination to organised crime. These distressing statistics do not even consider many more of those who remain unreported. Over and above this, the rampant rate of disappearances in our society is not only attested to armed robberies and organized crime syndicates; it is exacerbated by extremely stringent economic conditions that perpetuate crimes such as these. Poverty, crime, joblessness, unequal access, unstable human rights, and many other factors, directly perpetuate this disturbing plague in our society. This is even further compounded by cultural practices that worsen the vulnerability faced by men, women and children at various stages, and that seek to protect necromancers and malicious spiritual healers. Additionally, the role of culture and indigenous heritage was especially spotlighted during the Joshlin Smith trial, where the State's accused-turned-witness, Laurentia Lombard, detailed the horrific details in the hours leading up to the six-year-old's disappearance, admittedly selling the child to a sangoma for R20 000. Hers is not a unique story, as merely a year ago, sangoma Ntombentsha Limbo was apprehended during the kidnapping of a minor child from a mall in Thabong, Free State. Yet as recently as this past Wednesday, a son and mother were snatched from the street and promptly robbed in the Northmead community of Benoni, Gauteng province. Although our post-apartheid democratic society is plagued by rampant economic inequality, institutional instability, political corruptions, and so much more, the increasing precariousness of our society will only seek to cripple our already-fragile back. The increasing spate of disappearances of people from our society, of all ages and ranges, highlights a deplorable trend indeed. The disappearance of people from our society is indicative of an overarching problem of human trafficking and human smuggling. South Africa, facing an unprecedented crisis with its precarious borders, is especially susceptible to exploitation by human trafficking syndicates. This is an even greater concern for young children, many of whom travel extensive distances daily, and who cannot be tracked as easily as adults with digital footprints. What's worse is that human trafficking disproportionately affects women and young girls, at a rate of approximately 70%. A major factor driving human trafficking cases is the job market, where unemployed people everywhere are being lured in for job interviews and then being subsequently human trafficked. Whether it is a young couple getting hijacked on a sunny Sunday afternoon or a group of young school children crossing the park to their respective homes, our society is fast becoming a breeding ground for evil, nefarious deeds. The rate at which people are vanishing in our society is not just a chilling statistic; it is a sobering realisation that everywhere, our daughters, sons, sisters, and mothers' lives are being swallowed by a shadowy underworld thriving on exploitation and silence. This crisis cannot be tackled with reactive policing or short-term campaigns. It demands a serious, coordinated response rooted in swift, effective justice and our constitutional human rights. We need proper mechanisms and training that will allow our law enforcement to tackle missing persons cases seriously from the outset. We need a centralised, transparent, national database that tracks these past and ongoing cases, and utilises the public as a resource to tackle these cases. This will require the collective efforts of all of our communities, schools, institutions, legislative bodies, and civil society. Tackling disappearances across our society will require us to prevent abductions before they occur, and to support the families who are left behind when they do. Above all, we need to confront the conditions that make people easy targets: poverty, inequality, lack of opportunity, and broken trust in public institutions. These are not abstract issues; they are the breeding ground for the crisis we now face. There is something fundamentally wrong when so many people can vanish in a democratic society. It points to a breakdown, not just in public safety, but in the basic fabric of trust and care that holds a nation together. We are watching a crisis unfold in real time, and the danger is not just to individuals or isolated communities. This is a national problem, one that threatens the shared future we've been trying to build since the dawn of democracy in 1994. South Africa is teetering on the edge of a crisis that's expanding at an alarming rate. Our democracy was born from Struggle, with the promise of dignity, safety, and equality for all. If we allow this crisis to continue in silence, we fail that promise. We must take this seriously before we become the kidnapping capital of the world. Because when disappearances become the norm, and when justice becomes rare, we lose more than individuals - we lose faith in the society we're trying to build. * Tswelopele Makoe is a Gender and Social Justice Activist and the Editor at Global South Media Network. She is also an Andrew W. Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
Aserie Ndlovu, Zodwa Mdhluli case: Three more suspects arrested amid wait for DNA results
The three suspects are expected to appear in court this week. Public Order Police (POPs) members at the Tshwane Police Training Academy on 15 June 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu Three additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhuli. They were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to the South African Police Service (Saps). This follows a public alert issued over the weekend, in which authorities asked for assistance in locating Thato David Madisha and Sello 'Skhalo' Uoane. Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu case: More suspects nabbed The police have now confirmed the arrests of Madisha and Uoane. The two men, aged 24 and 43 respectively, were found at a hideout in Nokaneng near Rust De Winter, along with a third unidentified individual. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane confirmed that the three suspects are expected to appear at the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. They face charges of kidnapping, hijacking, and house robbery. ALSO READ: Missing KZN teen recounts alleged abduction after two-week ordeal National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola praised both the investigative team and members of the public for their role in the arrests. 'We thank the people of South Africa, particularly Mpumalanga, who have assisted our investigating team in tracing these suspects,' Masemola said in a statement. 'The social media community must also be appreciated for sharing the pictures of these suspects far and wide. 'Together, we can do more with the cooperation of communities in fighting crime and apprehending dangerous criminals.' Investigation continues into Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu's disappearance Mpumalanga Acting Police Commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi echoed the sentiment, describing the arrests as a major breakthrough. 'We are utilising all available resources to uncover the truth behind what has transpired to the two victims. 'We are encouraged by the team's diligent efforts, which are yielding positive results,' he said. Mkhwanazi added that investigations remain ongoing, and police are committed to holding all responsible parties accountable. READ MORE: Police rescue two businessmen in Midrand after kidnapping ordeal The arrests follow the discovery of human remains near Rust De Winter, believed to belong to the missing couple. Forensic testing is currently underway to confirm the identities, with results still pending. 'A DNA matching process is already underway to match the human remains found with the DNA of close family members,' national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said on Tuesday. Ndlovu and Mdhluli were last seen on 18 February, driving in a white Volkswagen Citi Golf. Total arrests rise to eight The total number of suspects arrested in the case has now risen to eight. Previously, five individuals were apprehended in various villages around KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. They face multiple charges, including kidnapping, carjacking, house robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, and drug possession. Among them is a 17-year-old minor who was released into the custody of his parents. The others remain in custody and had already appeared in court as of last week. READ MORE: Man allegedly holds ex captive for 13 days before she escapes The first suspect arrested in connection with the case, Samuel Mogongwe, was reportedly the last person seen with the missing couple before their disappearance. The 41-year-old was well known to the victims and their families, having worked as their taxi driver. The police have recovered two VW Citi Golfs, allegedly fitted with parts suspected to be from Ndlovu's vehicle. In addition, several home appliances, including a fridge, stove, and microwave, believed to have been stolen from the couple's residence, have also been retrieved.
