Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the December 2023 murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) uMngeni Local Municipality Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four.
The suspects, aged 56 and 26, are expected to appear in the Howick Magistrates’ Court today on charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The 26-year-old suspect is alleged to have orchestrated the killing from behind bars at a Pietermaritzburg prison.
DA Expresses Relief, Raises Concerns Over Investigation Delays
uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas, speaking ahead of the court proceedings, welcomed the arrests but expressed frustration over the slow progress in the case.
“We as the DA have known for a while who the suspects are. We have private investigators working on this matter,” Pappas said. “The fact that it’s taken so long for these individuals to be arrested, despite us providing information to the police for a long time, is worrying.”
Pappas credited recent improvements in cooperation with provincial police, particularly under the leadership of Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for the breakthrough. He also acknowledged the assistance of AfriForum’s investigative unit, which includes former law enforcement officers, in supporting the DA’s parallel investigation.
Municipality Vows to Pursue Justice
Ndlovu, who served as the municipality’s chief whip, was fatally shot in December 2023. The DA and uMngeni Municipality have since taken an active role in pursuing justice, working alongside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police task teams focused on political killings.
Pappas emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, particularly when public servants are targeted for their work rather than criminal involvement.
“The family wants to know who did this. They want closure and assurance that those responsible will face consequences,” Pappas said. “As a municipality, we will continue fighting this case until justice is served.”
Ongoing Investigation
While the latest arrests mark progress, Pappas indicated that the DA still has more information to provide to authorities. He expressed hope that the police have sufficient evidence to secure convictions rather than “arrests for show.”
The case continues to unfold as investigators probe potential motives, including political tensions. For now, the uMngeni community and Ndlovu’s family await further developments as the suspects face their first court appearance.
