Another collar for SAPS' political killings task team
This time, the team has arrested two additional suspects, aged 56 and 26, in connection with the murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who served as a councillor in the uMngeni Local Municipality, was shot and killed in December 2023 at his home in Mpophomeni, Howick.
The 56-year-old has been identified as a traditional healer while the 26-year-old is alleged to have coordinated the councillor's assassination while incarcerated at Pietermaritzburg Prison. They are expected to appear before the Howick Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 31 July.
According to police reports, the two will join a pair of previously arrested suspects already charged in connection with Ndlovu's murder. The group faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Since July 2018, over 130 individuals have been convicted for politically motivated crimes, including the murders and attempted murders of councillors. These convictions have involved both hitmen and those who issued hit orders.
Earlier this month, the political task team secured the conviction of former African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa's killer to 25 years' imprisonment.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently praised the task team for its 'tremendous work' and urged the Commission of Inquiry to act with urgency following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi.
Mkwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police investigations and colluding in efforts to disband the Political Killings Task Team.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
5 minutes ago
- The South African
Gayton's family diamond mine plummets: 'No longer profitable'
Gayton McKenzie's diamond mine business – now managed by his son Calvin Le John – has reportedly taken a turn for the worse as prices have plummeted and the demand is at an all-time low. The Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture's son made the revelation in his first interview last week. In it, he discussed his acquisition of PSL club Siwelele FC, previously SuperSport United, for R50 million. The transaction was funded by selling shares to the mines. Since being sworn in as minister, Gayton has transferred all his businesses into his firstborn's name. According to Calvin Le John, Gayton McKenzie made most of his fortune from his slate and diamond mine business. Speaking to Robert Marawa, the Minister's firstborn revealed that Siwelele FC was bought after shares in the diamond mine were sold to a consortium for R90 million. However, Le John claimed that the business was no longer profitable. He said, 'Lab diamonds are now a big factor in the industry. I'm trying to divest as quickly as I can because I see a storm coming. Gayton McKenzie's son Calvin Le John reveals how he sold shares to the family's diamond mines. Images via 947/ X: @gaytonmck 'Diamond prices are at it lowest in years. It's circumstances that we're dealing with . There are a lot of diamond miners that have left the country. Diamond miners are literally living hand to mouth'. After his prison release over an armed robbery sentence, Gayton McKenzie worked as a consultant at various gold and diamond mines. With the help of a mentor, he founded his own mine – Central Rand Gold Mine – with pal and political party right-hand man, Kenny Kunene. He later owned gold, diamond, and slate mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Before handing over the reins to his son, Gayton McKenzie had multiple businesses in the entertainment, transport, publishing, mining, and property sectors. According to Parliament's 2025 Register of Members' Interests, Gayton was the director of several businesses, which he claims he has since deregistered from. They include the Taboo Tradio group of nightclubs and entertainment, ZAR Productions in the film and television industry, record label Nu Money Records, and an investment holdings company called Hustler's Empire. He also had his fingers in the pie of logistics, solar trading, microbreweries, ICT, and health and wellness enterprises. He said in a recent Facebook Live: 'We are a fairly wealthy family. My son [Calvin Le John] took over the ownership of all the family businesses before I was appointed as a minister. As ministers, we are not allowed to be involved in any private business. '… All our family businesses have been given to him. He grew up in money'. 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.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Ten SAPS, EMPD officers in court for fraud and corruption
Ten South African Police Service and Ekurhuleni metropolitan police officers were arrested while on duty on Monday for their alleged role in corruption and fraud. They are expected to appear in the Germiston magistrate's court on Tuesday. 'It is alleged that on June 4 during a multidisciplinary operation by law enforcement, the accused officers raided a shop in Edenvale where they seized cigarettes and took R35,000 in cash and three packs of headache tablets to the value of about R5,000,' Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Lizzy Suping said. The nine constables and a sergeant arrested the cashier for trading in illicit cigarettes and another employee for violating immigration laws. 'It is also alleged that the accused officers failed to record all the merchandise seized from the shop at the police station. The shop manager disputed the quantity and type of merchandise booked in the occurrence book to the station commander.'
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Nearly 500 illegal miners due to appear in Barberton court
JOHANNESBURG - Almost 500 illegal miners brought to the surface from a mine in Barberton in Mpumalanga last Friday are set to appear at the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday. The group faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act and trespassing, while others are facing charges of possession of gold-bearing material. Their arrest follows an intense operation by law enforcement and mine security as part of Operation Vala Umgodi in the province. The police initially estimated that 1,000 miners had been arrested but later revised that number down by half. Mpumalanga police spokesperson. Ppho Nonyane-Mpe: "Members of the SAPS, including the team that is working there in collaboration with home affairs officials, are currently busy with the purifying the number in terms of how many will be charged for what type of offence." Nonyane-Mpe said that an operation was underway to retrieve zama zamas that remained underground. "The plans in terms of the others that went deep, our members from Vala Umgodi, in collaboration with the mine security and also the Department of Minerals and Energy, will regroup and also esure that we communicate whatever action will be taken following this development."
