News

Police charge four in suspected murder of journalist and partner

Published

4 months ago

May 20, 2025

taryn

Four suspects have been formally charged with two counts of murder in connection with the disappearance of Pretoria journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, who vanished in February.

Their remains, believed to be those of the missing couple, were recently found and are undergoing DNA analysis to confirm identification. Ndlovu and Mdhluli were last seen on 18 February 2025 at their home in Mpumalanga, driving a white Volkswagen Citi Golf.

The accused — Samuel Mogongwe, Lucky Sikhosana, Sello Uoane, and Thato Madisha — are now facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing the pair. They made an appearance at the KwaMhlanga Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

According to Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga, two of the men chose not to apply for bail, while the remaining two will proceed with bail applications. The matter has been postponed to 29 May 2025.

“The charges of murder have now been added to the initial case involving the disappearance of the couple,” Nyuswa confirmed.

Last week, the SA Police Service (SAPS) announced that two bodies, suspected to be Ndlovu and Mdhluli, had been discovered. National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said that DNA testing was underway to confirm the identities.

“We are working with pathologists and the closest relatives to determine if the remains are indeed those of the missing couple,” Masemola told reporters in Bloemfontein. He had been attending the funeral of 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, who died in a crash at the Hennops River.

Earlier this month, the African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) increased a reward for information on the couple’s whereabouts from R50,000 to R100,000. The suspects had previously been charged with kidnapping and hijacking Ndlovu’s Volkswagen Polo, frequently used by the journalist.