It is not raining but pouring for a traditional leader who is related to former president Jacob Zuma, as he has been sent back to holding cells now for the murder of the DA chief whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu in 2023. 

Amanxamalala Traditional Authority’s Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma, who gained popularity because of his proximity to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party leader, was arrested together with 26-year-old Thabo Mathonsi-Chonco on Wednesday, barely a month after being released on bail for a separate murder case.

Although the latest charges against Inkosi Zuma remain unclear, Mathonsi-Chonco is accused of conspiracy to commit murder and murder of Ndlovu on December 23, 2023. 

The Howick Magistrate’s Court, Court A, where the accused appeared from holding cells, was fully packed with DA members, Inkosi Zuma’s supporters, and other members of the public who were interested in the matter. 

In the dock, Inkosi Zuma and Mathonsi-Chonco joined their two co-accused in the matter related to Ndlovu’s murder, Thobani Hlongwa, and Khayelisha Shabalala. 

The matter was postponed to August 8 for a bail application.  

Another co-accused, Zwelithini Buthelezi, his induna, was not in court.

A source, who is a court official, told this reporter that Buthelezi’s charges were withdrawn on July 29 after he agreed to testify for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) under Section 204. 

Inkosi Zuma and Buthelezi are also facing another murder charge of killing Zuma’s head of izinduna, Qalokunye Zuma, on January 23, 2023.

In that charge, Inkosi was granted R25,000 bail on July 3 after his arrest on June 13; however, Buthelezi, who had already been denied bail in Ndlovu’s murder case, did not apply for it.

He was arrested for Ndlovu’s murder almost a month after being freed on bail from holding cells by Impendle Magistrate’s Court in connection with Qalokunye Zuma’s murder. 

During Thursday’s court appearance, the Howick court only dealt with Mathonsi-Chonco, who wanted to be transferred from Westville Prison in Durban to Pietermaritzburg’s New Prison.

His lawyer, Nkomo, who refused to give his first name, stated that his client wished to be transferred to Pietermaritzburg due to ill health and that the city fell within the jurisdiction of the Howick court. 

However, Prosecutor Advocate Elvis Gcweka rejected the request, saying that the accused might collude with Buthelezi, who is being held in Pietermaritzburg. 

Magistrate Ntini rejected Mathonsi-Chonco’s request. 

“As the State has its fears, I don’t see the problem in keeping the accused at Westville. If he is unwell, he can get medical treatment while kept in Westville,” said Ntini. 

Outside the court, Inkosi Zuma’s relative, who cannot be named as he is not appointed to speak for the family, said it was shocking that Inkosi has been arrested for another murder. 

“When we thought things were difficult, they just got worse,” he said. 

The DA has been fighting to see justice from the day Ndlovu was gunned down in cold blood in front of his children and wife, and after the case had gone cold, the party hired AfriForum private investigators who were able to gather information and gave it to the police. 

It was believed that Ndlovu was killed at his home to shut him up from spilling the beans about Buthelezi’s alleged theft of electricity transformers, which were illegally connected and power sold to residents of newly developed villages outside Mpophomeni township, who were without electricity. 

Buthelezi is still facing charges in connection with electricity theft.

Qalokunye Zuma was also killed at his rural Impendle home in front of his family members and patrons of his shebeen, allegedly following a dispute over the affairs of the Nxamalala traditional authority.

During his bail hearing in Impendle court, it was revealed that Inkosi Zuma, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of illegal firearms, and ammunition, paid R30,000 to hitmen to eliminate Qalokunye Zuma. 

Police obtained this information when they analysed Buthelezi’s cellphone records, who they had been hunting for Ndlovu’s murder.  

Impendle court Magistrate Bongiwe Nhlapo told Inkosi Zuma that his bail conditions were that he must report in person to the Impendle police station every Monday and Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

Umngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas said while people might be shocked by Inkosi’s implication in Ndlovu’s murder, “some of us are not”.

“The DA has an investigating team working on this, doing proper oversight over the police investigation. 

“Our investigation team has come to the same conclusion in terms of the number of people that have been arrested,” said Pappas.

bongani.hans@inl.co.za

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