News24 | Police find possible remains of missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu, partner in Limpopo

Police believe they have found the bodies of missing Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli.

• ⁠Police have recovered human remains believed to be those of kidnapped journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli.
• The remains were pointed out by a suspect who supposedly turned State witness.
• The remains were found in thick bush in Rust De Winter, Limpopo, about 70km from the couple’s home in Mpumalanga. 

Police believe they have found the bodies of missing Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, on Thursday afternoon.

They found the skeletal remains lying next to each other in thick bush outside Rust De Winter in Limpopo, roughly 70km from KwaMhlanga, where the pair were last seen almost three months ago.

The couple went missing on 18 February and were regarded as missing until last week, when the case was upgraded to a kidnapping.

According to police insiders close to the investigation, clothes were also found next to the bodies.

Police reportedly found a female’s bathroom robe near the first body and a pair of shoes near the second.

Insiders said the grisly scene was pointed out to them by a suspect who turned State witness.

The witness took a team of specialised officers to the exact spot where bodies had been dumped.

News24 observed the suspect-turned-witness walking into thick brush, followed by police officers, including two dogs and their handlers.

The witness is among five men, including a 17-year-old, who were arrested on Sunday in connection with the kidnapping of Ndlovu and Mdhluli.

On Wednesday, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said two of the five suspects cooperated with investigators.

Following the suspects’ arrest, police reportedly recovered furniture and electrical appliances stolen from the couple’s home. They also seized two VW Golfs fitted with parts from Ndlovu’s stolen Golf.

Two suspects, Samuel Mogongwe, 41, and Lucky Michael Sikhosana, 40, appeared in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on kidnapping charges.

Police identified Mogongwe as the mastermind behind the kidnapping. The couple had reportedly hired him as a driver.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the discovery of the human remains and said DNA tests would be conducted to ascertain if they belonged to the missing couple.

Earlier this week, their families, hoping they were still alive, addressed the media, calling for them to be returned safely. They pleaded with the suspects to reveal where their loved ones were taken.

Meanwhile, the African Media and Communicators Forum and the National Press Club expressed shock and disbelief after the remains were recovered.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, denounced the “brutal and senseless” murders, describing it as a “barbaric and brute act of violence”.

“Mr Ndlovu served the public through his work in the media sector, contributing meaningfully to our democracy by informing and educating citizens,” Morolong said.

“The loss of both Mr Ndlovu and Ms Mdhluli is a tragedy that highlights the need to continue strengthening efforts to combat violent crime”.