The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) have welcomed the arrests of four suspects in connection with the disappearance of Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli.

On Friday the two organizations wrote to the National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola requesting his urgent intervention.

The Acting Chairperson of the Press Club, Antoinette Slabbert said, “The latest developments do not come as a surprise to us because the briefing we received from the SAPS yesterday indicated that a lot of work had been done and that a breakthrough was imminent. We appreciate the deployment of additional resources to ensure that the matter is resolved as soon as possible.”

The Chairperson of the AMFC, Elijah Mhlanga, said: “The news of the arrests is most appreciated. We express our gratitude to the National Commissioner and the investigating team for working 24-hours around the clock to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of Ndlovu and Mdhluli.” Mhlanga said the detailed briefing received yesterday was encouraging and the arrests reported today confirm that the police have kept to their word. While we appreciate the arrests we need to emphasize that the main goal objective of finding the couple is yet to come.

Ndlovu, the founder of Capital FM Live, a community radio station in Mamelodi, was last seen leaving his workplace in Mamelodi, while Mdhluli was last seen in KwaMhlanga.

According to the SAPS, one suspect is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 06 May 2025. Three others are expected to appear later in the week before the KwaMhlanga Magistrates Court.

At the weekend the organisations increased the reward offered for information from R50, 000 to R100 000 to support the police investigation. We will continue to monitor the investigation and the court proceedings that are due to commence.

ISSUED JONTLY BY THE AFRICAN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATORS FORUM AND THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB.

Elijah Mhlanga: 071 950 1148 (AMCF)

Antoinette Slabbert: 082 320 2153 (NPC)

The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) welcome the latest developments in the case of Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli.

As a result of collaborative efforts between Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces, an inter-provincial task team of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been established to consolidate and expedite the investigations into the couple’s disappearance 75 days ago.

The AMCF and NPC appreciate the intervention of National Commissioner General Fanie Masemola who has directed that an integrated team be set up to prioritize the investigation.

Earlier this afternoon the Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi led a team of officers who briefed Deputy Minister Kenny Morolong on the progress of the investigation.  

Accompanying the Executive Mayor and Deputy Minister, the Chairperson of AMCF, Elijah Mhlanga, said: “We were furnished with the contents of a confidential report, it is clear that a lot of work has been done. We have a feeling that a breakthrough is imminent. To support the investigation, we have increased the reward from R50 000 to R100 000. Now that a communication channel between all stakeholders has been established, we are looking forward to a breakthrough in this case.”We are pleased that both the Ndlovu and Mdhluli families were also briefed and they are satisfied with the work done to unravel the mystery thus far. 

Speaking from KwaMhlanga following the briefing by the investigating task team, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Morolong, said, “We are encouraged by the report we are getting. Sometimes the silence works against the police, but we wish to urge you to update, even on a high level, so that the families can be at ease. Our brother and sister must be found alive.” Morolong emphasized that the police needed to win the confidence of the public by communicating on a regular basis especially on complex investigations such as this one.

Ndlovu, the founder of Capital FM Live, a community radio station in Mamelodi, was last seen on 18 February 2025. 

“We are humbled by the immediate response to our letter from the National Police Commissioner, in which we requested his intervention. We are also encouraged by the interest shown by Premiers in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, respectively,” says the chairperson of the National Press Club, Antoinette Slabbert.

Executive Mayor of Thembisile Hani District Municipality Jacob Dikgale added that the report indicates that a lot of work has been done. We believe this will restore public confidence in the police. We can only hope that the momentum and communication will be stepped up.

The AMCF and NPC are again urging the public to keep an eye out for the missing couple and assist in their search, and to immediately contact the police with any information to help with the investigation.

For those with any leads or information, please contact Brigadier Nama on 082 778 9035 or Brigadier Cele on 082 443 7373.

ISSUED JONTLY BY THE AFRICAN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATORS FORUM AND THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB.

Elijah Mhlanga – 071 950 1148 (AMCF)

Antoinette Slabbert – 082 320 2153 (NPC)

The National Press Club (NPC) tonight celebrated excellence in journalism and the outstanding work of communicators at the 2024 Newsmaker & Journalist of the Year awards.

The ceremony, hosted in Pretoria, honoured the outstanding work of journalists and communicators who have made significant contributions to the media and communications industry.

The awards are sponsored by the North-West University and Lebone Litho Printers. These awards are about honouring journalists and communicators who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of truth and the art of storytelling.

News 24’s Sikonathi Mantshantsha scooped the National Press Club-North-West University (NWU) overall Journalist of the Year award. He won a cash prize of R115 000 from this category, sponsored by the North West University. This is in addition to the R30 000 from the Print/Online: Features/Investigative Journalism category he also won.

The government of national unity (GNU) was awarded the 2024 National Press Club Newsmaker of the Year. This accolade was a testament to the significant media coverage and profound impact the GNU has had in the past year.

The National Press Club Acting Chairperson, Antoinette Slabbert said: “As the NPC, we are absolutely elated to witness the continuation and impact of our annual awards that celebrate the remarkable achievements of our media workers. These awards not only honour their hard work and dedication but also recognise the crucial role that spokespersons play within the media ecosystem.”

The spirit of journalism thrives on the principles of accuracy, fairness, and integrity and these awards are about recognisning individuals who embraced these principles while cognisant of the role the fourth estate plays in our democracy.

“We are living in an age where content is abundant, but clarity is scarce. Information flows at the speed of light, yet truth often struggles to keep pace. The noise of misinformation is loud, the silence of disengaged citizens even louder.

This is why the work of journalists, their editorial discernment, investigative tenacity, and public interest framing, is more critical than ever,” said Prof Daryl Balia, NWU deputy vice-chancellor for information technology and Potchefstroom Campus Operations.

The following winners of the 2024 Newsmaker & Journalist of the Year awards each pocket R30 000.

The winners are:

Category 1 – Print/ Online: News: Norman Masungwini- City Press

Category 2 – Print/Online: Features/Investigative Journalism: Sikonathi Mantshantsha- New24 Investigations

Category 3 – Print/ Online: Photojournalist: Felix Dlangamandla -Daily Maverick

Category 4 – Radio: News: Chanel September -Jacaranda FM

Category 5 – Radio: Features: Chanel September -Jacaranda FM

Category 6 – TV: News: Yusuf Abramjee eNCA

Category 7 – TV: Features/ In-Depth: Kate Berry- Carte Blanche

Category 8 – TV: Cameraperson: Lee Saunders- The Devi Show, eTV & eNCA

Category 9 – Community News: Print /Online: Dimakatso Modipa- Tshwane Talks

Category 11: Media Liaison Officer/ Communications Officer/ Spokesperson of the Year: Athlenda Mathe SAPS.

“We celebrate the sterling work done by all our winners, especially Sikonathi Mantshantsha who scooped the first prize for his sterling journalism work. The spokesperson of the year category seeks to recognise communicators who reflect excellence, outstanding communication skills, accessibility, helpfulness and we believe that in Athlenda Mathe, SAPS communications in in steady hands,” concluded Antoinette Slabbert.

INQUIRIES:

Secretariat; secretariat@nationalpressclub.co.za or Ncobile M Mahlangu 072 984 4673