Booysens Court Drops Owen Ndlovu Case, Wife Portia Vows to Seek Justice
- The Booysens Magistrate's Court removed the Owen Ndlovu case from its roll on 2 October 2026, despite his widow's plea to keep it active
- Annabelle Lebethe, the opposing party in the combined matter, did not appear in court and sent an affidavit withdrawing her application
- Portia Ndlovu told the court her husband was killed the day before his scheduled appearance and said she plans to seek legal advice
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The Booysens Magistrate's Court has struck the case involving the late Owen Ndlovu from its roll, after his widow, Portia Ndlovu, made an emotional plea for proceedings to continue.
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The matter was removed on Friday, 2 October 2026. Ndlovu had been kidnapped in Katlehong on 15 September 2026 and was found dead in Thokoza the following day, one day before the scheduled court date. The Germiston Trio Crimes unit is investigating his murder under case number CAS 190/9/2026.
How the proceedings unfolded
Two separate matters had been brought before the court: one opened by Ndlovu against Annabelle Lebethe, and another opened by Lebethe against him. The court had combined them. On Friday, neither Lebethe nor her legal representative appeared. Instead, an affidavit was submitted withdrawing her application against Ndlovu.
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The court then turned to the matter Ndlovu had originally opened, ruling that it no longer held jurisdiction following his death.
"Now that the court has his death certificate, the matter is being removed from the roll," the magistrate stated.
The court made clear that removal differs from withdrawal.
"There's nothing that stops investigations from continuing, and this file can be uplifted at any time and be used in the criminal case," it said, adding that any interested party could approach the court to continue proceedings as a second applicant.
Portia pushed back, telling the magistrate:
"My husband was killed a day before he could come to court. The criminal matter is being investigated, and I am asking this court not to remove it from the roll." After a brief adjournment, the court upheld its position.
As seen in the post below.
Portia speaks outside court
Speaking to Africa Daily after the proceedings, Portia said she had not been well enough to attend but felt obligated to honour the date. She expressed confusion over Lebethe's absence and over how the opposing party appeared to have anticipated that her husband's case would be struck.
"I was puzzled that the other party was not even here. I only learned from the magistrate that they are withdrawing their application against my late husband. I am also confused as to how they knew the matter which was opened by my husband would be removed from the court roll," she said.
She described her disappointment plainly.
"I'm not happy that the case has been removed, because my husband was killed a day before the court date. I still want justice for my husband, even if he is in his grave. I tried to reason with the magistrate, and I am disappointed. I am now going to seek legal advice," Portia said.
The case was previously heard in the same court on 17 July 2026 under reference PHA 315/2025. A related matter, PHA 1628/2026, had been postponed to 2 October. A separate burglary at the offices of Ndlovu's attorneys in Sunnyside is also on record under case number CAS 898/8/2026.
Owen Ndlovu memorial: Son's emotional tribute
Briefly News previously reported that Owen Ndlovu, a community broadcasting pioneer and artists' rights activist, was remembered at his memorial service on Wednesday
His son uThingo delivered a tribute that shook mourners, revealing how his father's presence shaped his own path in life.
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Source: Briefly News
