Nhlalayenza Ndlovu: Accused in DA councillor murder seeks bail to campaign for MK Party

Menelisi Zuma, the fifth accused in the murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) uMngeni councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, has asked the Howick Magistrate’s Court to grant him bail, with the DA claiming he told the court that he needs to be released to campaign for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party ahead of the 4 November Local Government Elections.

Zuma, 44, was arrested by the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in the Mpophomeni area in August. His arrest brought the number of accused in the case to five. He appeared before the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 September, where his bail application was heard.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NHLALAYENZA NDLOVU?

Ndlovu, who served as the DA chief whip in the uMngeni Municipality, was shot and killed at his home in Mpophomeni in December 2023, in front of his wife and young children.

The murder investigation is being led by the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the investigation has identified Chief Simphiwe Zuma of Nxamalala in Impendle as the alleged mastermind who issued the hit order. He remains in custody after being denied bail twice.

Two other accused linked to the murder, Khayelihle Shabalala and Thabo Mathonsi, pleaded guilty to murder in July. Their plea statements reportedly detailed their involvement in the planning and execution of the killing, including allegations that they were offered payment for carrying out the hit.

Their case was separated from that of the other accused, including the alleged mastermind, and the proceedings were set down for further consideration in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court.

SAPS has previously said investigations remain ongoing and that the PKTT will continue pursuing anyone found to have played a role in the killing of Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.

“PKTT’s message is clear: political killings will not be tolerated and those who order, finance, facilitate or execute these murders will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice,” police said.

DA QUESTIONS BAIL BID

DA leader in KwaZulu-Natal Sithembiso Ngema said, according to evidence presented in court, Zuma told the court that his release on bail was important because the MK Party needed him to organise and campaign for the upcoming local government elections.

“Let us be absolutely clear. A political party’s election campaign can never be placed above the sanctity of human life, the integrity of the criminal justice system or the interests of a grieving family.

“The fact that a person accused of participating in his murder would tell a court that his political organisation needs him to prepare for an election is disturbing.

“The question that must now be asked is, what kind of political organisation needs an accused murder suspect so desperately that his absence supposedly prejudices its election campaign?”