Suspects arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli may have confirmed the worst suspicions after directing police to human remains discovered in bushes close to KwaMhlanga.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola made the startling admission while speaking to reporters at Constable Boipelo Dinoge’s formal funeral in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Dinoge’s body was discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion, Pretoria, last week along with the bodies of her two colleagues.
“I just got a report now … that there are two remains of people found in the bushes. Whether it’s them or not, we are not sure, but of course pointing out [by the suspects] led us where we are now,” said Masemola.
“To determine whether or not it is them, we will take the required steps with regard to the DNA, families, and remains that we discovered.”
The couple vanished on February 18 after visiting Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi West.
Their disappearance initially triggered a missing persons alert, which later escalated into a full kidnapping and hijacking investigation after the discovery of stripped car parts.
During a media briefing earlier this week, Masemola confirmed that five suspects, all of whom are South African nationals, had been taken into custody in relation to the case.
Suspects include a teenager
They face charges of kidnapping, carjacking, house robbery, possession of stolen property, possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, and drug possession.
“Three suspects have already appeared before the KwaMhlanga magistrate’s court. Two more are expected to appear this week,” said Masemola.
“One of the suspects is a 17-year-old minor who has been released into the care of his parents.”
Police said they recovered two VW Citi Golfs fitted with parts allegedly from Ndlovu’s vehicle.
Several household items stolen from the couple’s KwaMhlanga home — including a fridge, stove, microwave, and blankets — were also found.
The multidisciplinary investigation has included units from cybercrime, organised crime, and serious and violent crime, as well as the police’s airwing and drone teams.
Masemola said that all possible leads were being followed.
“With the resources and capacity deployed, we are hopeful that we will soon get to the bottom of the motive and the whereabouts of the missing couple,” he said at the time.
Respected media executive
Ndlovu, also known as Ash or Anvil, was a respected media executive and founding director of Capital Live SA 99.0FM in Mamelodi.
He was influential in South Africa’s journalism and broadcasting sectors and a member of the National Press Club.
Concern was raised by the disappearance of Ndlovu and Mdluli, which attracted the attention of prominent government figures and entertainers.
Before announcing the arrests in public, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong also paid a visit to the family and was given a thorough police briefing.
A R100 000 reward was offered for any information that led to additional discoveries, but at this time, only DNA testing will be able to determine whether the bodies found in the bushes are those of Ndlovu and Mdhluli.
