Two men arrested in connection with KwaZulu-Natal political killings
Image: Supplied
Two men who were arrested by the SAPS' KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team in connection with the murder of DA Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu appeared in Howick Magistrate's Court yesterday. Their arrests came just two days after the unit arrested a former Municipal Manager in connection with the killing of the former ANC Youth League Secretary General, Sindiso Magaqa.
One of the suspects arrested in the Ndlovu matter was Amanxamalala Traditional Authority's Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma, who is related to the former and current Umkhonto WeSizwe party President Jacob Zuma. Zuma was arrested alongside Thabo Mathonsi-Chonco. Both Zuma and Mathonsi-Chonco were out on bail for a separate murder case.
Although the latest charges against Inkosi Zuma remain unclear, Mathonsi-Chonco was accused of conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Ndlovu on December 23, 2023.
Court A at the courthouse was filled with DA members, Inkosi Zuma's supporters, and members of the public. Another accused in the matter, Zwelithini Buthelezi, was not present. A source informed the Daily News that Buthelezi's charges were withdrawn on July 29 after he agreed to testify for the National Prosecuting Authority as a Section 204 witness.
Inkosi Zuma and Buthelezi are also facing another murder charge for killing Zuma's head of izinduna, Qalokunye Zuma, on January 23, 2023. In that matter, Inkosi was granted R25,000 bail after his arrest on June 13; however, Buthelezi had already been denied bail in Ndlovu's murder case. He was arrested for Ndlovu's murder almost a month after being freed on bail from holding cells by Impendle Magistrate's Court in connection with Qalokunye Zuma's murder.
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During Thursday's court appearance, the Howick court only dealt with Mathonsi-Chonco, who wanted to be transferred from Westville Prison in Durban to Pietermaritzburg's New Prison.
His lawyer, Nkomo, who refused to divulge his first name, stated that his client wished to be transferred to Pietermaritzburg due to ill health and that the city fell within the jurisdiction of the Howick court.
However, Prosecutor Advocate Elvis Gcweka rejected the request, citing concerns that the accused might collude with Buthelezi, who was being held in Pietermaritzburg. Magistrate Ntini rejected Mathonsi-Chonco's request, stating, 'As the State has its fears, I don't see the problem in keeping the accused at Westville. If he is unwell, he can get medical treatment while kept in Westville.'
At the time of his death, Ndlovu was deployed to the Umgeni Local Municipality. On Monday, the team arrested the 55-year-old former senior official at the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality in Malvern, Durban, regarding Magaqa's death
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