Alleged mastermind behind disappearance of Aserie Ndlovu & Zodwa Mdhluli charged with 2 counts of kidnapping

JOHANNESBURG - The alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli has now been charged with two counts of kidnapping.

Forty-one-year-old Samuel Mogongwe appeared briefly again on Wednesday at the KwaMhlanga Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga, with his co-accused in the matter, Lucky Sikhosana, who has also been charged with two counts of kidnapping.

To date, five people linked to the couple’s disappearance have been arrested, including a minor.

READ: Police seize 2 vehicles fitted with car parts belonging to missing journo Aserie Ndlovu

Police officials, who attended court proceedings on Wednesday, said that they were confident about the arrests.

Only two of the five accused made a brief appearance in the KwaMhlanga Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

It was Mogongwe's second appearance after his matter was postponed on Tuesday for additional charges.

He now faces two counts of kidnapping.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that all five suspects appeared before the court separately over the week.

He added that some of the accused were willing to cooperate with the police.

"I'm quite confident with the leads that we have with regards to this case. As I said, five appeared. Some of them are prepared to assist us."

Four of the five accused remain in custody and will be back in court on Friday.