The National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team for the swift arrest of suspects linked to the murder of a whistleblower, Xolani Ndlovu Ntombela.
The suspects, a local chief and the hitman are appearing before the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Monday and face a number of charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, as well as possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The murder docket of Xolani Ndlovu Ntombela forms part of the 121 dockets returned to the task team to continue with investigations.
The dockets were returned to the task team on Thursday, 28 August 2025, and within a week, the team arrested a 55-year-old local chief and a 23-year-old hitman for the 2022 murder.
The late Xolani Ntombela was shot and killed in November 2022, inside his homestead.
A preliminary investigation by the task team has so far revealed that Ntombela was murdered for exposing the illegal sales of land in Emasosheni in the Mpophomeni area in Howick, KwaZulu Natal.
General Fannie Masemola has applauded the team for the swift arrests.
“The turnaround time and swift arrests following the return of the dockets is encouraging and it is a step in the right direction. We urge the team to continue with their investigations in the remaining 120 dockets.
“We need to solve all these cases because families need answers and closure,” said General Masemola.
The task team’s investigations had since July 2018 led to the conviction of more than 130 accused for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. – SAnews.gov.za
