The Political Killings Task Team detectives charged two suspects with the murder of Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela, who was shot dead at his home in Mpophomeni in November 2022. Image credit: by SAPoliceService
(The Post News) – The murder investigation of Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela, a whistleblower who was shot and killed at his home in November 2022, has advanced significantly thanks to the efforts of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team. Top police authorities have praised the task team’s decision to charge two suspects in connection with the crime.
Swift Action on Returned Dockets
The arrests follow the return of 121 dockets to the Political Killings Task Team on Thursday, August 28, 2025, which included the murder case of Ndlovu-Ntombela. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola congratulated the squad for their “turnaround time and swift arrests” and commended their prompt action.
Motive Linked to Land Corruption
The task team’s initial inquiries have shown that Ndlovu-Ntombela was singled out for exposing the illicit land sales in Mpophomeni’s Emasosheni neighborhood. His life was finally lost as a result of his dedication to combating corruption.
Due to other allegations, the two suspects, a 23-year-old hitman and a 55-year-old local chief, were already in detention. While the younger suspect was awaiting trial in a different murder case, the older suspect was processing his bail application. They are now being charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegally possessing ammunition and firearms. The two made their appearance on Monday, September 8, 2025, in the Howick Magistrate’s Court.
Police Leadership Applauds Progress
In order to provide the families of the victims answers and closure, General Fannie Masemola has urged the task team to carry out its investigations into the remaining 120 dockets.
General Masemola stated, “We must resolve all of these cases because families require answers and closure.”
The development was also applauded by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Provincial Commissioner of KZN, who praised the “resilience of the Political Killings Task Team and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).” He emphasized their resolute attempts to solve killings with political motivations, which he claimed are producing fruitful outcomes.
The task team’s investigations, which began in July 2018, have been successful in preventing political violence in the province as more than 130 suspected people have been found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
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