Kidnapped Izingolweni chief still missing
Makhosandile Ngcobo was allegedly abducted by armed men posing as police in April 2021.
It has been a year since the interim leader of the Qiniselani Manyuswa Traditional Council was allegedly kidnapped at his Izingolweni home.
Makhosandile Ngcobo was allegedly abducted by armed men posing as police in April 2021.
After the kidnapping, Indunankulu Sthembiso Ngubelanga was tasked by the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to lead the council.
Ngubelanga said he is leading the Qiniselani Manyuswa Council, that it is operational and he signs everything that goes in and out of the council.
Ngcobo’s older brother, Felokwakhe Ngcobo told Fever that his family is clouded with bad luck, saying that while most people were finding their loved ones during the floods, they still have not found their brother.
He said they are still hurt.
“What is sad is that since the kidnapping, not one person has come forward even with false information. At this point, we would even appreciate lies about my brother’s whereabouts because we are desperate. I sometimes think that he was not abducted by South Africans because we have consulted traditionally and no one is able to see a thing. Although we are starting to believe that our prayers no longer work, we do believe as the family that God will eventually show us something, a sign of some sort that we will need to accept no matter what it looks like,” said Ngcobo.
Makhosandile was appointed as the council’s regent in June 2020, pending the finalisation of a paternity investigation which had led to a succession battle within the family.
According to sources, shortly after Makhosandile’s appointment there had been an attempt on his life.
Speaking to Fever, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the kidnapping case matter is still under investigation, adding that Ngcobo has not been found.
