KWAMHLANGA – In the early hours of May 13, 2025, at around 1am, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) from Crime Intelligence in Mpumalanga, in collaboration with the Provincial Tracking Team and the Organised Crime Unit, made further progress in the case of missing journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli.
Three more suspects, aged between 23 and 43, were arrested in the Nokaneng area in Limpopo, near Rust de Winter.
The arrests took place near a bushy area where human skeletal remains were recently discovered. Police believe the remains could belong to the missing couple. These latest arrests bring the total number of suspects to eight.
Sibusiso and Zodwa were reported missing on February 18, 2025. Since then, police from Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and National Head Office have been working together to investigate the case. Last week, the team made a grim discovery — two decomposed bodies were found in KwaMhlanga. Forensic testing is underway to confirm whether the remains are those of the missing couple. However, results are still pending.
Zodwa’s aunt expressed frustration over the delay in DNA results.
“We are very disappointed. We travel all the way from Nelspruit hoping to hear the results, but we are still waiting. These results are the only thing that can help us move forward with funeral plans. The police promised to prioritise the results, but nothing has happened yet,” she said.
The five suspects arrested earlier have already appeared in court and are expected to return to the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 19, 2025. Two of the three suspects arrested on May 13 also appeared in court on Friday, May 16, but their matter was postponed to May 19, due to the unavailability of a Legal Aid lawyer who was unwell. All suspects face charges of kidnapping, hijacking, and house robbery.
Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the National Press Club, welcomed the progress made by the police:
“The case is no longer slow. There has been a lot of progress. If you look at the recent arrests, something is happening almost every second day,” he said.
