Police have arrested three more people in connection with the deaths of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli, raising the total number of suspects in the case to eight.
Police arrest three more suspects in Aserie Ndlovu and Zodwa Mdhluli murders
The latest arrests were made on Tuesday morning, during a police raid at a house in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the arrested individuals include 24-year-old Thato “Small” Madisha and 43-year-old Sello Uoane.
A third suspect, whose name has not yet been made public, was also taken into custody during the same operation.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirms the arrests and we appreciate the assistance of community members in locating the suspects,” said Mathe.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola also praised the joint efforts of the police teams and civilians involved in the investigation.
The case had originally been treated as a missing persons matter after Ndlovu and Mdhluli vanished on 18 February 2025 while driving a white Volkswagen Citi Golf. For months, there was no information about their whereabouts until last week, when the police located two bodies believed to be theirs.
The breakthrough came after one of the original four suspects arrested earlier this month directed investigators to the location of the bodies. These remains have been sent for DNA testing, and police are waiting for the results to officially confirm the identities.
“The DNA results will guide us on the next steps,” General Masemola said, urging the public to wait for formal confirmation.
What we know so far about how the couple died
Police say the investigation has uncovered key details about what happened to the couple. During raids in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, officers recovered two Citi Golfs and several car parts suspected to belong to the couple’s missing vehicle. Among those arrested was a local mechanic, suggesting that the vehicle may have been stripped and sold in parts.
The case has now expanded beyond the initial disappearance. Charges being considered include kidnapping, car hijacking, house robbery, and possession of stolen property. These are all very serious crimes. In simple terms, the evidence suggests that the couple may have been attacked, robbed, and killed, and their car taken apart to hide evidence.
One suspect, believed to be the last person seen with Ndlovu and Mdhluli, appeared in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court last week. Court proceedings were delayed due to power outages but are now ongoing.
The rest of the suspects are scheduled to appear in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court later this week.
Ndlovu’s son spoke about the emotional toll the case has taken on the family.
“It was a very frustrating time for the family. For around 77 days there was nothing. At least now we are starting to receive some answers and we are hopeful that we are going to find our parents.”
Police have thanked the public for helping to locate suspects and continue to ask anyone with further information to come forward.
