KZN Police Charge 2 for 2022 Murder, SA Applauds As Case Is Part of 121 Political Killings’ Dockets
- The Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has charged two people with a 2022 murder
- Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela was gunned down outside his home in Mpophomeni, in the Umgungundlovu District
- South Africans applauded the police in KZN for continuing to effect arrests and bring criminals to book
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
KWAZULU-NATAL – The return of the 121 documents to the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is already reaping rewards and leading to arrests.
Detectives belonging to the task team have charged two suspects with murder, following investigations into one of the dockets.
The men are charged with the murder of Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela. Ndlovu-Ntombela was shot dead at his home in Mpophomeni, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, in November 2022. The motive behind his murder stemmed from his exposure of the illegal sale of land in the Emasosheni area.
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What are the men charged with?
According to KZN Police Spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the suspects are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“This case is one of the 121 dockets which were recently returned to the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal,” Netshiunda confirmed.
The progress has been welcomed by the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who applauded the efforts of the task team.
Source: Getty Images
Who were the men arrested for the crime?
According to The Witness, Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma and Thembelani Mbatha appeared in the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 September 2025, in connection with the murder.
This is the third count of murder that Zuma is currently facing. Zuma, who is the Inkosi of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority, is facing charges related to the 2023 murder of Induna Qalokunye Zuma. He is the nephew of former State President Jacob Zuma.
He is also accused of orchestrating the murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Ndlovu was shot and killed at his home near Mpophomeni in December 2023.
His co-accused, Mbatha, also faces a separate murder charge.
How did South Africans react to the news?
Social media users applauded the development, with many impressed that KZN police were working hard and making a difference.
@KingSA01194686 speculated:
“The Minister of Police will catch strays in some of these dockets🤞.”
@MdutyanaTh70595 said:
“KZN cops are working.”
@GumbiJabulano added:
“We are getting somewhere. We are travelling at a good speed, 121 km per hour. We are getting there and giving suspects in the dockets a lift along the way. Let's go, Lord Mkhwanazi.”
@DavidMukhari said:
“Walls are starting to cave in.”
@XFactor079 added:
“Dockets are back. Arrest after arrest is coming.”
@alexdyani noted:
“Imagine if they waited for Ramaphosa's talk show and not reclaim the dockets.”
Copies of dockets to be handed over to Madlanga Commission
Briefly News reported that copies of the 121 dockets would be sent to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The Madlanga Commission will investigate allegations made by KZN Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
South Africans first expressed panic online, assuming that the dockets would disappear due to political interference.
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Source: Briefly News
