The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has hailed the police for making swift arrests in the gruesome killing of its senior member and Member of Parliament (MP) Khethamabala Petros (KP) Sithole.

Sithole, who is originally from Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal, was gunned down in the hostel of Katlehong in Gauteng last week while he was attending a meeting with other party leaders like Alco Ngobese.

Earlier today, the spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng, Mavela Masondo, announced that two suspects are behind bars. He said they initially nabbed three suspects, but after questioning them, one was freed and the rest detained.

Reacting to the news, the spokesperson of the IFP, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said they are pleased with the arrest.

“The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) welcomes the arrest of two suspects linked to the brutal murder of our beloved Member of Parliament, Honourable Khethamabala Sithole. We commend the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the task team assigned to the case for the swift progress made since the tragic incident on 31 May 2025.

“We are encouraged by the announcement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Gauteng regarding the breakthrough in this case, and we continue to place our trust in the justice system to ensure that all those involved — not just the two suspects arrested — are brought to book. We further urge the SAPS to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the full truth behind this assassination,” Hlengwa said.

Hlengwa added that the IFP remains committed to peace, justice, and the rule of law, and it supports the continued efforts of the SAPS in this matter and hopes this marks the beginning of justice for Sithole and his bereaved family.

Sithole will be buried at Qhudeni in Nkandla on Sunday, and the party’s President, Velenkosini Hlabisa, will deliver a eulogy in honour of the man he called his brother and long-serving member and leader of the party.