Renowned private prosecutor, Advocate Gerrie Nel, has condemned the police for their alleged refusal to cooperate with private investigators in the arrest of a traditional leader who is a prime suspect in the murder of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.
This high-profile case, which has embroiled the Umngeni Municipality since late last year, has sparked a heated debate about accountability and efficacy in law enforcement.
Ndlovu, who served as the DA chief whip, was shot dead on December 4, 2023, in front of his family, including his wife, Pretty Ndlovu, and their two young children, aged six years and six months.
The killing occurred as Ndlovu was addressing rampant corruption related to illegal electricity connections allegedly orchestrated by the traditional leader in question.
According to Barry Bateman, spokesperson for AfriForum, who has employed Nel to investigate the case, private investigators have repeatedly notified law enforcement about the suspect's whereabouts.
However, their efforts have been met with silence. Before his death, Ndlovu had been at the forefront of exposing the traditional leader for stealing electricity transformers, which were illicitly sold to community members.
“Ndlovu was working tirelessly to put an end to the theft of municipal services, and this could very well have been the motive for his murder,” said Bateman.
After Ndlovu’s murder, the traditional leader was caught by the police for the theft of these transformers but managed to evade further court appearances after being released on bail. Since failing to reappear in court, a warrant for his arrest was issued in May, yet law enforcement officials have apparently made little effort to track him down.
Despite the ongoing investigation by Nel’s team, Mayor of Umngeni Municipality, Chris Pappas, has claimed that police have also failed to keep Ndlovu’s family informed about the progress of the investigation.
Reports indicate that the family was unable to meet with police in the presence of legal representatives, raising further concerns about transparency and legal compliance.
“The family has been left in the dark, receiving updates only through the municipality and not the police,” said Pappas.
He further accused the police of ignoring key evidence gathered by Nel’s team, including critical cellphone records linked to the investigation.
The community is still reeling from the impact of Ndlovu's murder, with reports indicating that his family has abandoned their home in the aftermath, living with relatives out of fear and grief.
In a bid to escalate the matter, Nel has reached out to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
In his letter, Nel expressed frustration at the lack of assistance from senior police officials, including National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and the Head of Crime Intelligence, Major General Dumisani Khumalo. Nel has made several attempts to engage with these officials, all without response.
Mchunu’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, confirmed receipt of Nel’s letter, assuring that a formal response will follow soon. Meanwhile, the provincial police communication unit has yet to provide any updates regarding the investigation or the status of the warrant issued for the traditional leader's re-arrest.
While Advocate Nel and his team remain determined to advocate for justice for Ndlovu’s family, the situation underscores a broader issue concerning police transparency, accountability, and the challenges faced in addressing political violence in South Africa.