Inkosi among suspects arrested for DA councillor's murder
THE last days of an eventful month of July are proving to be busy for the KwaZulu-Natal-based political killings task team, which has made another breakthrough in the murder case of a politician.
This time around, the task team arrested two men in connection with the murder of a DA councillor from the Midlands.
Earlier this week, the task team nabbed the former uMzimkhulu Local Municipality municipal manager, Zweliphansi Sikhosana, for the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
The latest arrests highlight the relevance and need for the task team despite the directive of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave, to disband it.
Sikhosana made a short court appearance at the uMzimkhulu Magistrate's Court, where the matter was postponed to Friday.
Earlier this month, on the sixth day of July, on a chilly Sunday afternoon, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations of political influence to disband the task team and certain politicians and top cops linked to the drug trade and the underworld.
Today, the task team arrested two men for the murder of Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who was the DA's chief whip in uMngeni Local Municipality.
Ndlovu was shot dead at his house in eMpophomeni, Howick, in December 2023.
The task team netted a 56-year-old Inkosi (traditional leader) and a 26-year-old suspect who is alleged to have coordinated the murder of Ndlovu whilst in Pietermaritzburg Prison.
The pair are expected to appear in the Howick Magistrate's Court tomorrow on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The DA councillor was attached to the uMngeni Local Municipality at the time of his murder. The leadership and members of the DA are expected to be present in court to show support to the Ndlovu family.
The DA's leader in KZN, Francois Rodgers, said they welcome the arrests.
"This matter has been dragging on for some years now. Hopefully, this would bring some finality to both the family of Nhlalayenza and the party itself. Justice delayed is justice denied.
"We trust that the prosecuting authority now has its ducks in a row so that we can get to some conclusion and there can be some accountability and consequence in what was a senseless and brutal murder of a public representative in front of his wife and small children.
"We once again call on the SAPS and the NPA to ensure that this case is brought to a swift and successful prosecution and that every individual involved in this heinous crime is held accountable to the full extent of the law," said Rodgers.
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