Police discover bodies believed to be those of missing journalist and his partner

8 May 2025

Police have uncovered the remains of what they believe to be Pretoria journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, who mysteriously vanished on 18 February 2025.

The discovery of the bodies follows the arrest of five suspects on Sunday, 4 May, who had been linked to the disappearance of the couple. Police Commissioner Major General Fannie Masemola said one of the suspects had pointed out an area where a police search discovered human remains.

The remains were found next to each other in a thicket outside Rust De Winter in Limpopo, nearly 72km from where the couple was last seen nearly three months ago, on 18 February 2025.

Masemola confirmed the grisly find on the boundary of Gauteng and Limpopo.

“Whether it’s them or not, we are not sure. But we will do the necessary processes in terms of DNA … to check whether it’s them or not.”

Daily Maverick reported this week that police found parts belonging to Ndlovu’s car in some of the suspects’ vehicles. Furniture and other household appliances which had been stolen at the Ndlovus’ house during a break-in were also recovered from the suspects.

Two of the suspects, Samuel Mogongwe, 41, and Lucky Michael Sikhosana, 40, appeared in the Kwa Mhlanga Magistrates’ court on kidnapping charges on Wednesday, 7 May. A suspect also appeared in a Pretoria court, but the matter was transferred to Kwa Mhlanga.

The South African Police Service told Daily Maverick on 24 April that the search and investigation had been escalated to the provincial head office and the docket assigned to a senior investigating officer.

Masemola confirmed to the media that forensic experts would conduct rigorous testing to establish the identities of the remains.

Reward doubled

Last week, the African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC), which had offered a reward in exchange for information that could lead to the couple’s whereabouts, increased the reward from R50,000 to R100,000.

The organisations expressed their sadness and shock on Thursday, 8 May.

“We would like to thank the South African Police Service, the leadership and each and every member of the force that assisted in this search for the couple. We are devastated. We are devastated,” the organisations said in a statement.

“Thanks to all the colleagues who assisted with keeping the search on the agenda. We were unable to bring them back home alive, but at least the families can get closure, and we can bury them with dignity. Our deepest sympathy to Zodwa and Aserie’s family and friends and colleagues. We will follow the court process closely. The law must now take its course.”

Family and friends distraught

Daily Maverick approached several family members and friends, but most were in no state to speak.

Bongi Mokoena, Zodwa’s best friend, cried bitterly on the phone for several minutes until her mother (whose full name we could not ascertain) took over the call. Mokoena’s mother, too, was emotional, but managed to communicate.

“We are all devastated,” Mokoena’s mother said.

“Where do the people who commit murders in this country come from?” she asked.

She said her daughter was preparing to head for Kwa Mhlanga to follow the court case.

Mokoena’s mother said Mdhluli “was so free. When she saw me, she saw her own mother.”

“Zodwa was a decent person. She was a very nice person. She was a loving mother and also loved her family a lot. She was just a loving person. When she went to the shops, she would bring food, but would also bring a lot more for the children,” she said.

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Deputy National Police Commissioner Major General Shadrack Sibiya said the accused who had pointed out where the remains might be could not remember the specific spot where they had disposed of the bodies.

“They dumped the bodies at night and could not specifically remember where. Police had to comb the entire area, and that’s when we found the remains,” Sibiya said. DM

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

South Africa

Reward doubled

Family and friends distraught