Pretoria – Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, in what authorities now describe as a case of kidnapping and car hijacking.
The couple went missing under suspicious circumstances, prompting a large-scale, cross-province operation.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the arrests took place on Sunday, 4 May 2025, during a joint operation between Gauteng and Mpumalanga police.
“The first suspect who is arrested, is according to investigations, the last to be in the company of the missing couple.
“The second, third and fourth suspects that have been arrested were found with different vehicle parts believed to be that of the missing journalist,” she said.
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has welcomed a breakthrough in the case of missing journalist, Aserie Ndlovu and his partner.
On Sunday, 04 May 2025, a cross province operation involving Gauteng and Mpumalanga police led by the Deputy… pic.twitter.com/nEuPXtgDlQ
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 5, 2025
“One of those arrested is 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.”
One of the suspects is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025. The other three will appear later this week in the KwaMhlanga Magistrates Court.
A high-level multidisciplinary task team — including SAPS counterintelligence, cybercrime experts, organised crime and serious violent crimes detectives, the SAPS Airwing, and drone pilots — is continuing the search for the missing couple and other possible suspects.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
