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Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli.
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The suspects were arrested in a cross-province operation, and police seized a vehicle believed to be connected to the missing couple.
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The reward for information about the missing pair has been increased to R100,000, and the search for the couple continues.
The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, took a significant turn on Sunday, as police arrested four individuals in connection with the case.
The pair, who have been missing since February, were last seen in mid-February, sparking nationwide concern.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the suspects were arrested during a cross-province operation. “The first suspect arrested was the last person seen in the company of the couple,” Mathe stated. “The second, third, and fourth suspects were found in possession of various car parts, believed to belong to the vehicle of the missing journalist.” One of the arrested suspects, Mathe added, is a mechanic from KwaMhlanga, who allegedly has experience in fixing and building cars.
The police also seized a VW Golf found in the possession of the suspects. While details about the suspects remain limited, authorities are hopeful that the arrests will lead to further breakthroughs in the case.
As part of ongoing efforts to encourage public involvement in the case, the reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Ndlovu and Mdhluli was recently increased from R50,000 to R100,000. Mathe confirmed that the suspects would appear in court during the week. “The search for the couple continues, and we are hopeful that this recent development will help us make progress in finding them,” she said.
Ndlovu, a journalist from Mpumalanga, was reported missing on February 18, while Mdhluli was reported missing just days later, on February 24.
Family members have previously expressed concerns about possible extortion and foul play, as both individuals vanished under suspicious circumstances.
Sowetanlive reports that the couple’s sudden disappearance has left both their families and the community searching for answers.
The police operation that led to the arrests follows months of relentless investigation into the case, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. The family, too, is holding out hope that the recent arrests will bring them closer to the truth.
Reward increase and cross-province operation highlight gaps in South Africa’s missing persons investigations
Ndlovu, a journalist known for reporting on local governance and corruption in Mpumalanga, was reported missing on February 18 after failing to return from an assignment. Mdhluli, his partner, disappeared six days later.
Family members initially suspected extortion, citing cryptic messages received before their disappearance. “We fear they were targeted for his work. Aserie was digging into tender fraud linked to municipal projects,” a relative, who requested anonymity, told SowetanLIVE.
The arrests mark a rare breakthrough in South Africa, where over 1,600 missing persons cases remain unresolved annually, according to 2024 SAPS data.
Advocacy group Missing Persons South Africa criticized systemic delays, noting “under-resourced police units and slow forensic processes hinder progress.” The suspects are expected to appear in separate courts this week, though authorities have not confirmed if the couple’s whereabouts or bodies have been located.
Ndlovu’s case has drawn parallels to the 2023 disappearance of photojournalist Raymond Louw, whose remains were found six months after he vanished while investigating illegal mining syndicates.
Press freedom organizations, including Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), have called for urgent reforms to protect journalists. “Attacks on media workers threaten democracy. We demand transparency in this investigation,” said MISA spokesperson Tabani Moyo.
