Community radio journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli have been missing since February. Image: Facebook
(The Post News)- The families of journalist Asarie Sibusiso Ndlovu, founder of Capital Live FM in Pretoria, and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdluli are facing the painful reality of their loved ones’ deaths, officially confirmed through DNA testing. The couple, who went missing on February 18, 2025, were at the center of a missing persons alert before their decomposed remains were discovered on May 8, 2025, in Rust de Winter, located on the boundary between Limpopo and Gauteng.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) officially confirmed the identities through DNA analysis on Wednesday, June 5, 2025. This revelation, while heartbreaking, has brought a profound sense of closure to the grieving families. SAPS stated, “A positive DNA match thus confirms the discovered remains are those of the missing couple.”
Elvis Ndlovu, brother of the late Asarie, shared his mother’s profound grief upon hearing the news. “When the police informed our mother about the DNA results, she struggled to accept the news. She had hope that my brother was still alive, but her worst nightmare was confirmed when we would never see my brother again,” he recounted. The families in Ga-Rankuwa (Ndlovu) and Tembisa (Mdluli) were visited by the police to disclose the results.
Zodwa Mdluli’s younger sister, Lillian Mokgaana, expressed her devastation, having held onto the hope that her sister would be found alive. “The reality is painful, but the confirmation of her passing brings some relief, as we can now lay her to rest with dignity and begin the process of healing. We will have closure, unlike other families that are still looking for their loved ones,” Mokgaana said. Mdluli’s friend, Bongi Mokoena, added, “I was never ready. Yes, we needed closure, but it’s accompanied with great pain as it still leaves us with a lot of questions.”
The tragedy has also deeply impacted the younger generation. Mdluli’s eldest son, Treasure, highlighted the particular struggle of his younger brother, a Grade 11 student, who is grappling with the profound loss of their mother. The family is now seeking psychological support for him. “My brother, who is in Grade 11, is struggling to come to terms with the loss of our mother. This tragedy is heavy on us adults, so I can only imagine what it must be doing to him. He really needs to get counselling, although I can tell that he won’t forget easily,” Treasure noted.
In the ongoing investigation, four of the eight suspects linked to the case have been arrested in connection with the couple’s disappearance and deaths, including a driver believed to have worked for the couple. These suspects face various charges, including murder, kidnapping, house robbery, and possession of stolen property. Bongi Mokoena noted the heartbreak that the suspects are not showing any remorse in court, and that a syndicate seemed to be involved, although the motive remains unclear. “These people were breadwinners. I am not convinced without knowing the motive for their murders,” Mokoena stated.
The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) had previously offered a R50,000 reward for information leading to the couple’s discovery. Both organizations conveyed their gratitude to the SAPS for keeping their promise to provide the DNA results within four weeks. Calvin Rafadi, a crime expert and research associate at the University of Johannesburg, commended the police for their efficiency.
While neither family has yet announced the official burial dates for their loved ones, the Ndlovu family has confirmed that Sibusiso Ndlovu’s funeral will take place in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
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