A suspect accused of killing the late uMngeni municipal councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu was his uncle.

According to Zululand Observer, Ndlovu was gunned down at his Masosheni home near Mpophomeni in December 2023.

The uncle (56), who is an iNkosi (a Zulu word for ‘chief’), was arrested on Wednesday and appeared alongside a 34-year-old accomplice in the Howick Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The arrest by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team brings the total number of suspects to five.

The matter has been postponed to next Friday for a formal bail application.

DA leader Francois Rodgers said the iNkosi is allegedly implicated in a separate case involving the murder of his cousin.

“While the DA welcomes the progress in this case, we remain deeply disappointed by the delays in the arrests. The information that ultimately led to the arrests was already available to the authorities by the DA’s independent legal team, yet it was disregarded,” said Rodgers.

“The disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has further weakened the state’s ability to address politically motivated crimes.

“The presence of senior SAPS intelligence officials during court proceedings only deepens concerns about whether our intelligence structures are being used effectively and impartially in such politically sensitive matters.”

Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi commended the SAPS on the arrest, saying it was a ‘significant breakthrough’.

Buthelezi praised the task team for their diligent work, which led to this progress and the arrest of more suspects.

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