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Key Witness Turns Suspect as Fifth Arrest Made in Missing Journalist Case

Published

5 months ago

May 7, 2025

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The search for missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, has taken a dramatic turn. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed on Wednesday that the key witness in the case has now been identified as a suspect.

The couple vanished more than two months ago, last seen leaving their Mpumalanga home on 18 February in a white VW Citi Golf. What began as a missing persons case has now expanded into a complex investigation involving kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery—with five suspects arrested and more details emerging.

Key Witness Identified as Suspect

According to police, the first suspect arrested, 41-year-old Samuel Mogongwe, was known to the couple and had been considered a key witness early in the investigation. “He was assisting us all along, but it has turned out that he is a suspect himself,” said Masemola.

Mogongwe was reportedly the last person to see Ndlovu and Mdhluli before they disappeared. His arrest led police to three other suspects, who were found in possession of car parts believed to belong to Ndlovu’s vehicle and appliances allegedly stolen from the couple’s home, including a fridge, stove, and blankets.

A fifth suspect was arrested shortly thereafter. One of the suspects is a 17-year-old minor, who has since been released into parental care. All five suspects are South African nationals from KwaMhlanga, and face a slew of charges, including possession of stolen property and drug possession.

Parts of the Car Recovered, but No Sign of Couple

Police say they have recovered two VW Citi Golfs, believed to have been altered using parts from the couple’s stolen vehicle. The discovery is considered a key breakthrough, but the couple remains missing.

Masemola said the investigation remains ongoing:

“We are hopeful that we will soon get to the bottom of the motive and the whereabouts of the missing couple.”

Thousands of Missing South Africans Found, Says SAPS

Masemola shared broader statistics, revealing that nearly 18,000 missing persons have been found in the past five years. Of these, 15,005 were adults and 2,963 were children under 18. He added that SAPS also recovered 3,099 bodies from rivers and dams, and rescued over 2,500 people from water-related incidents.

Hope Remains

The Ndlovu-Mdhluli case is one of many complex investigations SAPS continues to handle. With significant resources now allocated, authorities remain hopeful for closure.