The South African media fraternity is reeling in grief following the confirmed deaths of respected media professional Sibusiso “Aserie” Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, whose decomposed bodies were discovered on Thursday morning in a veld near KwaMhlanga.
The couple had been missing since 18 February 2025, sparking a national outcry and collaborative search campaign led by the African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC). Their disappearance left friends, colleagues, and the broader public in anguish for over two months.
According to the AMCF, a forensic team confirmed that both victims had been murdered. The breakthrough came after a dedicated task team was established to investigate the disappearance, leading to the arrest of five suspects, three of whom appeared in court on Wednesday.
“I am terribly sad. We held out hope that despite the number of days that the couple had gone missing, they would still be found alive,” said Elijah Mhlanga, Chairperson of the AMCF. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families of our brother and sister.”
The AMCF and NPC have vowed to continue supporting the grieving families, including attending ongoing court proceedings. They also expressed faith in the authorities’ efforts to ensure justice is served.
“We are confident in the work of the authorities, that they will use all the available resources to bring to book everyone that was involved in the killing of our colleague and his partner,” said Antoinette Slabbert, Acting Chairperson of the National Press Club.
On Friday, the two organisations are expected to appear in court to support a media application for access to cover the court proceedings, brought on behalf of several media houses.
The brutal killing of Ndlovu and Mdhluli has sent shockwaves through the journalism and communications community, highlighting the dangers faced by members of the media and those close to them.
