Latest news with #SibusisoNdlovu
The Herald
05-06-2025
- The Herald
DNA analysis confirms remains are of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and partner
DNA analysis of human remains found in Rust De Winter in Limpopo on May 8 has positively linked them to those of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and Zodwa Mdhluli. The couple was reported missing on February 18. 'The human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased,' police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said in a statement on Wednesday. Police have already notified both families. Four suspects arrested in this case are currently appearing before the KwaMhlanga magistrate's court on various charges including kidnapping, house robbery and possession of stolen property. The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) welcomed the latest developments. They said they did not come as a surprise because the location where the remains were discovered was pointed out by the suspects after their arrest. They said this milestone would lead the families closer to the truth. 'We wish to convey our gratitude to the SAPS for keeping to their promise that in four weeks the results would be available. 'We confirm that the families in Ga-Rankuwa [Ndlovu] and Thembisa [Mdhluli] were visited earlier this evening by the police where the results were disclosed to them,' said Elijah Mhlanga, chairperson of the AMCF. He said the families were relieved and could now begin with plans for funerals. Acting chairperson of the NPC Antoinette Slabbert said it had been an agonising wait for the results after months of grief following the mysterious disappearance of the couple. 'We hope that the evidence will also serve in court in the murder charges against the accused,' Slabbert said. The memorial services and funeral arrangements will be communicated once the families have finalised the details. TimesLIVE
News24
14-05-2025
- News24
Missing journalist's stepson believes human remains found are his parents
After months of searching for his missing parents, he has been overwhelmed with anxiety and fear following the discovery of human remains, which authorities believe may belong to them. Treasure Mdluli (30) who is the son of Zodwa who went missing with journalist Sibusiso Ndlovu believes that the human remains discovered by the police belong to his mother and her partner. He told Drum Magazine that DNA samples were drawn from him on Friday morning and he is anxiously waiting for the results. 'There is a high chance that these are my parents, who have been found. The police did however, promise me that they would speed up the process because there is a backlog for obtaining DNA results,' said Treasure. He explained that this has been a hard time for their family and no one is taking the news well. 'I honestly don't know how I've managed to go about my days without losing my mind, especially when we were still clueless and continuously searching with no breakthroughs. We are a bit relieved that we are now getting answers but it doesn't make our burden any lighter and comes with a lot of pain,' said a distraught Treasure. Treasure recalled the last moments he spent with his parents and described them as jolly and full of love. 'I last saw them on the Sunday before they went missing on Tuesday. I was set to drive back from their place to Joburg but they asked me to spend one more night with them, so I slept over. We chatted until late and then went to bed. The next morning I drove my mother to work and then I left town. I last spoke to her on the morning of the Tuesday they went missing,'he said. The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa said that court proceedings were postponed due to one of the suspects falling ill on Friday Morning. Nyuswa said the suspect had to be rushed to a medical center which brought the court case to a standstill. Adding that although the expectation was that five suspects would be on the dock, only the two ( Samuel Mogongwe and his co-accused, Lucky Sikhosana) that are facing kidnapping charges appeared. 'The pair that appeared today has been linked by cellphone data to the last location of the missing couple.' 'Just to clarify the three other suspects that were charged with possession of stolen property will appear later this month, bearing in mind that one of them is a minor and is likely to appear separately.' Nyuswa said the matter was postponed to the 19th of May 2025, and investigations are continuing.
The Herald
13-05-2025
- The Herald
Media organisations welcome court order permitting recording of proceedings in Aserie Ndlovu case
The KwaMhlanga magistrate's court on Monday permitted media houses to record proceedings in the case involving the kidnappings and suspected murders of journalist Sibusiso 'Aserie' Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli. The decision was welcomed by the African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC), which brought an application before the court on behalf of several media houses after the media were barred last week from recording the proceedings or taking photographs of the accused without a formal application. The media houses include the Sunday Times, Kaya FM, News24, SABC, Newzroom Afrika, eNCA, Sowetan and Eyewitness News. The two organisations said they understood not every South African could physically attend court proceedings and this order would ensure that people could stay informed about crucial developments in the case through the eyes of the media. Acting chairperson of the NPC, Antoinette Slabbert, said the organisation would ensure justice was served for the couple. 'Today's order enables us to take our audiences with us as we follow the court proceedings to ensure that those who did these terrible things to the couple account for their evil deeds.' Chairperson of the AMCF Elijah Mhlanga said the ruling not only upheld the principles of transparency and public access to justice but also allowed the community to stay informed about matters of great public interest. 'Such coverage fosters an environment where justice is not only done but is also seen to be done. The court order reinforces the democratic principle that justice should be accessible to all.' As the case returns to court next Monday, the organisations said they would continue to monitor the proceedings and support the families. TimesLIVE
News24
09-05-2025
- News24
Suspects lead police to discovery of human remains believed to be of missing journalist and partner
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. Read more | Gogo Maweni pleads not guilty to assault charges '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. Read more | 24 year-old EL man sentenced for raping his grandmother 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.
The Herald
09-05-2025
- The Herald
Media organisations shocked at murder of journalist and partner
The African Media and Communicators Forum and the National Press Club have expressed shock, disbelief and sadness over the deaths of journalist Sibusiso 'Aserie' Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The couple's remains were found on Thursday morning in an advanced stage of decomposition. The media organisations said the forensic team positively identified the remains and confirmed that Ndlovu and Mdhluli were murdered and dumped in a field in the KwaMhlanga area. The couple had been missing since February 18. The media fraternity had joined hands in calling for communities and law enforcement agencies to find the couple. After the formation of a task team, more resources were allocated, leading to a breakthrough in the case. This resulted in the arrest of five suspects, three of whom appeared in court on Wednesday. 'I am terribly sad. We held out hope that despite the number of days the couple had been missing, they would still be found alive. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of our brother and sister,' said Elijah Mhlanga, chair of the communicators forum. The two organisations have undertaken to continue supporting the family, including attending the court hearings of all the suspects. 'We are confident in the work of the authorities, that they will use all the available resources to bring to book everyone involved in the killing of our colleague and his partner,' said acting chair of the National Press Club Antoinette Slabbert. The organisations will be in court on Friday where the media application to cover the case will be heard. They brought the application on behalf of media houses. TimesLIVE
