Alleged Pietermaritzburg hitmen, Thembelani Mbatha and Deon Mathonsi, and traditional leader Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma — said to be the mastermind — are linked to a chilling web of murder cases spanning Pietermaritzburg, Bulwer, Impendle and Mpophomeni, from family massacres to the assassinations of councillors and business people.

Yesterday, Zuma (55), of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority, was charged with a third count of murder — this time in connection with the killing of Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela in Mpophomeni in November 2022.

The Witness reports that Zuma appeared in the Howick Magistrate’s Court alongside his co-accused Mbatha (30).

The pair face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Their appearance came ahead of the continuation of Zuma’s bail application.

This latest charge adds to Zuma’s already weighty criminal profile.

He is also facing charges for the murder of Induna Qalokunye Zuma, who was gunned down at his home in Impendle in January 2023. Zuma was granted bail in July in that matter.

He was also linked to the assassination of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu of uMngeni Municipality, who was shot dead at his home in Emasosheni, near Mpophomeni, in December 2023.

Police said a preliminary investigation into the Ndlovu-Ntombela case revealed that he was murdered for exposing illegal land sales in Emasosheni.

The matter forms part of 121 dockets recently referred back to the controversial political killings task team in KZN, which continues to operate despite being disbanded by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

During Zuma’s bail application, the investigating officer, Sergeant Delani Chemane, said in an affidavit that the motive behind councillor Ndlovu’s killing was also tied to land sales in Emasosheni.

According to Chemane, there was a dispute between uMngeni Municipality and the Tribal Authority over the selling of land.

Ndlovu’s murder, also under investigation by the political killings task team, was allegedly linked to his outspokenness about illegal electricity connections in the area, which uMngeni Municipality disconnected several times.

Zuma allegedly ordered Ndlovu’s assassination after the Pietermaritzburg High Court barred him from selling land.

Chemane, also investigating the Impendle case, alleged that the motive behind Induna Zuma’s murder stemmed from a land dispute between Inkosi Zuma and another man, with Induna Zuma attempting to mediate.

Zuma’s bail hearing in relation to Ndlovu’s murder is expected to continue today, with closing arguments from the state and his legal team.

Meanwhile, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday, Mathonsi stood trial for the massacre of the Mbambo family in Bulwer in April 2023.

The state alleges that Mathonsi and others conspired to ambush the Mbambo homestead at Gobho-Gobho, killing four family members — Mqapheli Mbelu, Lethukuthula Dumakude, Sphamandla Mbambo and Nkosinathi Cele — while they were socialising and drinking. A fifth victim, Sibonelo Mbambo, was shot dead as the attackers fled.

According to the indictment, the assailants stormed one of the family’s structures, opened fire, demanded valuables at gunpoint, and escaped with stolen goods.

While fleeing, they recognised Sibonelo Mbambo on the road, shot him dead, and continued their escape.

Prosecutor Advocate Attie Truter closed the state’s case yesterday by presenting post-mortem reports showing that all five victims died from devastating gunshot wounds to the head.

Defence attorney Bongani Mbatha said his client had a case to answer and would begin testifying today, adding that no other defence witnesses would be called.

This is not the only mass killing linking the alleged hitmen.

Both Mbatha and Mathonsi are co-accused in the Memela family massacre in Imbali Unit 14 in April 2023, when 10 family members, including four children, were gunned down.

The victims included Phumlani Memela, Celimpilo Mthembu, Andiswa Ngcobo, Fikile Hlabisa, Brenda Memela, Nomfundo Memela, Aphelele Memela, Sabelo Mhlonyana, Owethu Memela and Tokozile Memela. An eight-year-old boy survived.

Court papers allege that during the attack, minor Andiswa Ngcobo was raped before being killed. The accused face 21 charges, including 11 counts of murder, one of rape, six counts of attempted murder, and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

The following day, police acting on a tip-off tracked suspects to a nearby site where they were allegedly performing a cleansing ritual.

Two were arrested, one fled, and another was killed in a gun battle with police.

Hours later, police traced more suspects to a house near the Memela homestead.

As officers approached, they came under fire, and three police officers were injured in the shoot-out.

The Memela family mass murder trial is scheduled to start in 2026.

Mbatha also faces a separate charge of murdering ANC councillor Mabhungu Mkhize in August 2023.

A trial date has not yet been set.

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