A R50 000 reward is being offered to strengthen the search for a missing journalist and his partner, who disappeared last month.

Pretoria Rekord reports that local police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed this week that a missing person’s case was opened on February 18 for Sibusiso Ndlovu, manager of Capital Live.

It is, however, unclear whether the police are investigating a missing person’s case for his partner.

Ndlovu, a National Press Club (NPC) committee member, was reported missing on February 18, while his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, was only reported missing on February 24.

“A missing person [case] was recorded on February 18, only for Sibusiso Ndlovu,” said the manager of Capital Live.

Van Dyk added: “The investigations are still ongoing. There is no strong lead as yet, and the investigating officer is working hard to locate him.”

Reward offered

In a bid to find Ndlovu and Mdhluli, the African Media and Communicators Forum and NPC have offered R50 000 to anyone who provides information that assists the police with the investigation.

In a joint media statement, the NPC and the forum said it has been close to 30 days since their disappearance.

“They were last seen on February 18, and since then, there has been no trace or word regarding their whereabouts. With each passing day, the families grow even more anxious, and all of us become worried about their well-being.

“It is troubling that for almost a month, there isn’t a shred of evidence or a lead as to where they might be or what has happened to them. It is for that reason that the African Media and Communicators Forum, together with the press club, have joined forces to support the families.”

According to the statement, the family has also enlisted the assistance of a private investigator (PI) to help find the couple.

“The PI has searched hospitals, mortuaries, hotels, and other places of interest. Up to now, there are no leads. It is for that reason that a reward of R50 000 is now offered to anyone who provides credible information that assists the police in their investigation and helps locate the couple.”

Anyone with information is requested to contact Brigadier Mxolisi Edwin Nama of the Provincial Head of the Serious and Violent Crime Investigations on 082 778 9035.

Rekord previously reported that Ndlovu’s brother, Sifiso, told the Sowetan that cameras at Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi showed Ndlovu leaving after work.

He worked in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, but lived in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.

What happened to him after that remains unclear, and his car, which lacks a tracking device, has not been located.

The details surrounding Mdhluli’s disappearance are also unknown. The family has granted the police permission to access the couple’s phone records.

‘Protection fee’

Sifiso also told the media that a group of men once approached Ndlovu for a ‘protection fee’ at Denlyn Mall, where his online radio station operates.

That was reportedly in October last year.

Sifiso said they did not make much of it at the time, but after his brother and Mdhluli went missing, they suspect the extortion attempt might be linked to their disappearance.

The missing person’s case was opened in Mamelodi, while a burglary case was opened in KwaMhlanga.

Mpumalanga police involved

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdlhuli confirmed that they are investigating the matter.

“Police in KwaMhlanga are investigating a case of housebreaking and theft after a female complainant reported on February 18 that her male friend went missing in Mamelodi, Gauteng, so she came looking for him in KwaMhlanga.

“It was during this time that she realised the doors at the house were open, with some items missing. That was when a case was opened,” Mdlhuli said.

Mdlhuli added that a missing person’s file for Ndlovu’s partner  was registered at KwaMhlanga on February 24.

“Zodwa Precious Mdhluli’s child only reported her missing on that day. The woman’s child indicated that their last conversation was on February 18. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are still unknown and form part of the police investigation.”

He added that they are working around the clock in collaboration with their counterparts in Gauteng to ensure the case is resolved, preferably with the victims being located.

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