Four people have been arrested in a major police breakthrough following the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, as the case shifts from a missing persons investigation to suspected kidnapping and hijacking.

Ndlovu, the founder of Capital Live SA FM, reportedly went missing on February 18. This was according to posts made on social media, including a missing person’s poster calling for help in finding him.

According to social media posts, Ndlovu reportedly left Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi on Tuesday, February 18, at around 18:00.

He wore blue jeans, a blue and white long-sleeve shirt, and Nike sneakers.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a cross-province operation involving Gauteng and Mpumalanga police led by the Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, and the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph MKhwanazi led to the questioning and subsequent arrests of these suspects.

“The first suspect was, according to investigations, the last to be in the company of the missing couple.

“The second, third and fourth suspects were found with different vehicle parts believed to be that of the missing journalist. ”

She said one of the suspects was said to be a mechanic who builds and fixes cars in the KwaMhlanga area.

“Two VW Citi Golfs that were found in possession of the suspects have been seized.”

Mathe explained that the missing persons case has been changed to a kidnapping and car hijacking case.

“Additional charges such as house robbery and being in possession of stolen property are likely to be added.”

One suspect was expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 06, 2025. Three others were expected to appear later in the week before the KwaMahlanga Magistrates Court.

“A multidisciplinary team involving crime and counterintelligence, cyber crime unit, organised crime detectives, serious and violent crimes detectives, SAPS Airwing, and SAPS drone pilots are among the units involved in the case.”

Mathe added that the search for the missing couple and other suspects was still ongoing.

“This is a developing case.”

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