Group charged with kidnapping & murder of Aserie Ndlovu, Zodwa Mdhluli back in court
The couple went missing in February, and their remains were found near the Limpopo border, three months later, after DNA analysis confirmed their identities.
The accused in connection with the kidnapping of journalist, Aserie Ndlovu, and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli appeared in the Kwamhlanga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, 20 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - A group of men charged with the kidnapping and murder of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli are back at the Kwamhlanga Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Friday.
The couple went missing in February, and their remains were found near the Limpopo border, three months later, after DNA analysis confirmed their identities.
The remains were discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.
Newly arrested accused Isaac Hlophe joined his four co-accused in the dock in proceedings in June.
All five face two counts of murder and kidnapping each.
The second accused in the matter, Lucky Sikhosana, terminated his Legal Aid attorney, who is representing all of the accused, opting for his own private lawyer instead.
They’ve proposed to reapply for his bail at a later stage and allow the investigating process to proceed in the interim.
The matter was postponed to Friday for Hlophe’s bail application and for the State to acquire the case docket, which is still with the Director of Public Prosecutions.