Police have arrested a suspect identified as Induna Zwelithini Buthelezi (43) in connection with the brutal killing of Umngeni Local Municipality Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who served as the DA’s Chief Whip in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region.

Ndlovu was gunned down at his Masosheni home near Mpophomeni in December 2023.

Buthelezi, who is facing separate charges of murder and attempted murder in the Impendle Magistrate’s Court, will appear alongside co-accused Thobani Masobho Hlongwa (31) and Khayelihle Shabalala (31) when the Ndlovu case resumes on Friday.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi applauded the South African Police Service (SAPS) for working tirelessly and effectively in finding the perpetrators.

Buthelezi added: “The murder of any elected official, particularly one dedicated to serving their community as Councillor Ndlovu was, is an attack on the very fabric of our local governance and those who are responsible must face the full might of the law”.

This has been an ongoing case in finding the perpetrators who murdered Ndlovu, with no solid leads pointing to the perpetrators.

The MEC is pleading with members of the public to continue coming forward whenever they have any information that will assist in making successful arrests on suspects attacking the office bearers such as Councillors, Amakhosi and Izinduna.