Latest news with #Mdluli
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Aserie Ndlovu murder case postponed as fifth suspect joins
The murder case was postponed after the newly-arrested fifth suspect opted to appoint a private lawyer. Pretoria-based journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdluli were reported missing since February 2025. Picture: Facebook/Sbusiso Aserie Ndlovu The case of the five men charged in connection with the disappearance and murder of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdluli, has been postponed to 4 July. The case was postponed to allow the fifth suspect, Thabang Isaac Hlophe, to secure legal representation after joining the other four. Father Samuel Mogowe, Lucky Sikhosana, David Madisha, and Sello Skhalo Uoane previously abandoned their bail applications. Court appearance for formal joinder The five accused, who appeared in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, are facing two counts of kidnapping and murder each. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Friday's court appearance was for the formal joinder of Hlophe to the matter and a possible bail application on his behalf. 'However, the application did not proceed as Hlophe opted to appoint a private attorney to represent him,' Nyuswa said. All suspects have been remanded in custody. 'The [NPA] condemns acts of violent crime and remains resolute in pursuing justice for victims,' Nyuswa said. ALSO READ: Kidnapping victim saved after screaming from moving car on N1 Ndlovu and Mdluli reported missing Ndlovu and Mdluli were last seen on 18 February and were reported missing shortly after their disappearance. The accused were arrested on different occasions during a police intelligence-driven operation. The first suspect arrested was 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 those of the missing journalist,' police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said shortly after the arrests. '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,' Mathe added. Remains and DNA confirmation Skeletal remains with gunshot wounds, believed to be of the missing couple, were discovered in Rust de Winter along the Limpopo-Gauteng border in May after the suspects identified the location. Earlier this month, police confirmed that DNA analysis positively linked the remains to Ndlovu and Mdluli. 'The human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased. A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are those of the missing couple,' Mathe said at the time. NOW READ: 'Gruesome discovery': Missing teen girl found dead inside shack as stepfather linked to murder
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Mpumalanga man claims R2 million for police assault, awarded R130,000
A man claimed R2 million form the police after he was locked-up for two days in a police cell. He also claimed he was severely assaulted by the SAPS Image: File A damages claim of R2 million by a Mpumalanga man against the police for unlawful arrest and detention and 'severe' assault resulted in the court only granting him compensation of R130,000. This, after the Mbombela High Court found that Lwazi Mdluli exaggerated somewhat about the injuries he had suffered at the hands of the police. Mdluli claimed R1 million from the police for his suffering in being locked up in a police cell for two days, as well as another R1 million for the assault he said he endured. He told the court that in January 2023, near Newscom Trust in Mpumalanga, he was travelling in his car with his wife and daughter. He was stopped by the SAPS at Kabokweni Police Station on allegations that he had committed robbery and attempted murder. Mdluli testified that the officers blocked his car, and when he got out, he was pushed to the ground. He said he was assaulted several times on the face with open hands by four police officers and was trampled upon with booted feet. He said he was taken to the police vehicle, where he was instructed to touch a firearm in the vehicle. When he refused, the officers continued to assault him. Mdluli described how, at one point, his hands were cuffed behind his back along with his feet. His face was covered with a plastic bag. When the bag was eventually removed, water was poured into one of his ears, and he was slapped several times with an open hand on the ear. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He claimed his nightmare ordeal did not end here, as he was taken to the police cells, where he was accused of breaking into the house of a police officer and stealing his firearm. He was taken to court, but he never appeared before a magistrate, as he was told he could go home. Mdluli testified that it humiliated him to have been assaulted in the presence of his wife and 15-year-old daughter. The assault took place in public, and members of the community gathered and took pictures and videos of the incident. Those pictures were posted on Facebook, thus injuring his dignity. On the conditions of the cells, he testified that, whilst in custody, he had to take a cold shower, and he did not have toiletries. The cells were filthy, and he was detained with five other inmates. They had no privacy in using the ablution facilities. Although he was provided with two meals a day, they were not of the same standard that he was used to at home. Mdluli said he was used to having three meals per day. The court commented that his evidence was riddled with exaggerations, and if regard is had to his injuries, it cannot be found that the assault was grievous to the extent testified to by Mdluli. He was awarded R80,000 in damages for being detained for two days and R30,000 for the assault he had to endure.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SA Canegrowers warns against job losses caused by sugar imports
SA Canegrowers is pleased to announce the re-election of Higgins Mdluli as the chairman of the organisation, following its Annual General Meeting and board meeting held this week in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. SA Canegrowers is pleased to announce the re-election of Higgins Mdluli as the chairman of the organisation, following its Annual General Meeting and board meeting held this week in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. As a sugarcane grower in Mpumalanga, Mdluli brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing the interests of the 24,000 small-scale and 1,200 large-scale growers represented by SA Canegrowers. Mdluli said: 'It is an honour to be re-elected to serve as chair of the SA Canegrowers board at such a critical time for our industry. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our growers, partners, and stakeholders to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient sugar sector that supports rural livelihoods and drives agricultural and economic growth in South Africa.' But Mdluli also cautioned that the industry faces many challenges, not least of which is the increasing risk local growers face from unfair global trade practices. Foreign sugar is currently entering South Africa at prices below the cost of production and below the global sugar price, owing to some foreign governments either heavily subsidising their industries or countries dumping their excess sugar at a loss. For every ton of imported sugar, local sugarcane growers lose R6 000 in income, and jobs are imperilled.
Eyewitness News
10-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Court hears how SSA was made to pay for Richard Mdluli's lifestyle expenses
JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court has heard how the State Security Agency (SSA) was made to pay for former crime boss Richard Mdluli's lifestyle expenses, including swimwear and dining at hotels abroad. Mdluli and two other former senior cops are being tried for allegedly looting the police's slush fund during his time at the helm. ALSO READ: Court hears details of expenses corruption-accused Richard Mdluli ran up on overseas trips This week, Mdluli pleaded not guilty to the crimes as his trial got under way. Investigators have homed in on three overseas trips during Richard Mdluli's tenure, where there was lavish spending and the SSA was allegedly made to pay. One of the trips in November 2009 was to China, and investigators claim Mdluli had state security pay R100,000 for business class flight tickets for him and his then-wife. They said he claimed the trip was to visit their daughter, who was an agent in China. Investigating officer Colonel Kobus Roelofse has given details of some of the purchases the SSA was made to pay for. Investigators have also probed the spending on two Singapore trips – one in October 2009, when Mdluli attended an Interpol General Assembly session. 'The first entry relates to PL ladies' swimwear – one piece 18 Singapore dollars, wave swimwear tights - 1 piece 16 dollars and 50 cents - [the] third entry is wave swimwear tights, 33 dollars and 90 cents.' The matter will resume on 19 May, where Roelofse will continue with his testimony.
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Court hears details of expenses corruption-accused Richard Mdluli ran up on overseas trips
JOHANNESBURG - Transactions made on lavish overseas trips have taken centre stage at the corruption trial of former Crime Intelligence boss, Richard Mdluli. Mdluli and two other former senior police officers are accused of looting the service's slush fund between 2008 and 2012. This week, the trio pleaded not guilty to the theft, fraud and corruption cases against them. Former top cops Mdluli, Heine Barnard and Solomon Lazarus are accused of regularly digging into the SAPS' slush coffers to fund their personal lifestyle expenses and lavish overseas trips where big purchases were made. On Friday, those trips – two to Singapore and one in China, all in 2009 - were detailed by investigating officer, Colonel Kobus Roelofse. Roelofse honed in on the China trip, which Mdluli took with his then-wife. "Roof rent accommodation 500 yuan, mini bar meals 19 yuan from the same hotel for accused number 1. The following day, 500 yuan for accommodation." The State will also detail how Mdluli allegedly looted R100,000 for two business-class flight tickets for this trip. Other private expenses that prosecutors believe Mdluli submitted claims for to the State Security Agency were sightseeing, clothing and electronic goods.
