The District Commissioner of OR Tambo District, Major General Norman Modishana, has welcomed the arrest of two suspects linked to the kidnapping of two young men and the subsequent murder of one of the victims in Qumbu.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on 01 June 2025, when the victims, aged 20 and 22, were allegedly abducted in the Qumbu Central Business District. The abduction was carried out using a white Inyathi taxi, following accusations that the victims had stolen a sling bag containing two cellphones and cash. A kidnapping case was officially registered at Qumbu SAPS on 03 June 2025.
The 20-year-old victim was later found at his Marambeni home on the same day, suffering from severe injuries, and was rushed to the hospital. This development led to the arrest of Tembalethu Ncudu (32) on 04 June 2025, who appeared in the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court that same day. The second suspect, taxi owner Sifiso Nene (33) of Mahlungulu, was arrested on 15 June 2025 at approximately 19:00.
In a grim turn of events, the decomposing body of the 22-year-old victim was discovered on Thursday, 10 July 2025, by a community member in dongas (erosion channels) at Mahlungulu locality. The victim was found with his hands and legs bound by rope.
Both suspects remain in custody, facing charges of kidnapping and murder. Their formal bail application is scheduled for Monday, 14 July 2025, at the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court. Meanwhile, the white Inyathi taxi allegedly used in the crime has been impounded as evidence.
