KwaMhlanga – Slain journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu has been laid to rest.
Aserie, the founder of Tshwane Capital Live Radio based in Mamelodi, was buried on Saturday, 21 June 2025, a day after his partner Zodwa Mdhuli was laid to rest.
Aserie and Zodwa were murdered and their decomposed remains were found in Rust de Winter, along the Limpopo-Gauteng border, on 8 May 2025 – three months after they had been reported missing.
DNA analysis confirmed the identities of the deceased, whose location had been disclosed by one of the suspects during the investigation.
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Five suspects – Father Samuel Mogowe, Lucky Sikhosana, David Madisha, Sello Skhalo Uoane, and Thabang Isaac Hlophe – have since been arrested and are on trial for the murder of the couple.
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Speaking at Aserie’s funeral, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong said: “Today we bid farewell to a dedicated champion of the people who was not only loved by the community of his birthplace in Mpumalanga but also those he served in Mamelodi and Pretoria surroundings.
“Ndlovu contributed immensely to the development of our society.
“Our government joins the nation in mourning the passing of an accomplished member of the Fourth Estate, Mr. Aserie Ndlovu.
“The void created by the sudden and tragic death of Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, is still hard to grasp.”
Deputy Minister Morolong added that while their “untimely demise has struck where it hurts most and shaken our faith, we who are Christians derive courage and strength from Psalm 62:6, which reads, ‘He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I will not be shaken'”.
Earlier this week, colleagues, families, and friends gathered at the GCIS Head office in Pretoria to pay homage to both Aserie and his partner, Zodwa.
“The gathering allowed us to mourn their untimely death, but it was also an opportunity to celebrate their lives,” said Deputy Minister Morolong.
Attendees shared reflections on their fond memories of both of them.
The deputy minister said Aserie had a long-standing and good working relationship with GCIS and the entire government communications system.
“He collaborated with GCIS and the government at large, through a range of activities in his profession as a community media practitioner, ranging from covering government activities such as media briefings, national days, and other key government initiatives,” Deputy Minister Morolong stated.
“He also assisted in amplifying government voices through media interviews with various senior government officials including Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
“His recent collaboration with GCIS [Government Communication and Information System] included live streaming of an online seminar that sought to create public awareness of adverse weather conditions.
“This demonstrated his commitment to development communication and strong partnerships between government communications and community media practitioners.”
Aserie also participated in a “Youth Month” engagement, hosted by GCIS, for communication interns from the public service.
During these engagements, Aserie shared his knowledge about how to form a media company and contribute to the journalism fraternity through entrepreneurship.
“He was unwavering about his passion for developing future journalists and media entrepreneurs in the local media sphere,”‘ stated the deputy minister.
He said Aserie also played his part by using his station, Tshwane Capital Live Radio, to connect with other community radio stations to help transmit government messages through their various programmes.
“As a government, particularly the government communications sector, we feel cheated by his death, robbed of one of our own from the Fourth Estate, which is a pillar of our democracy tasked with speaking truth to power,” lamented Deputy Minister Morolong.
“Aserie was a familiar face in our government media briefings. He understood, through his work, that information is power and that an informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy.
“Aserie understood that journalism is a bridge between government and citizens.”
As a member of the Press Club and the founder of Tshwane Capital Live Radio, Aserie played a critical role in ensuring coverage of the government’s work found space in the public domain through localised news content broadcast to residents of Mamelodi and the Pretoria area at large.
“The media fraternity will no longer be the same without Aserie,” lamented the deputy minister.
“His versatility, his passion to serve the voiceless, his commitment and hard work, his devotion to improve the lives of South Africans exemplify the life of this outstanding patriot whose remains we are laying to rest this morning.
“Through his work, he allowed people at the grassroots level to voice their concerns and perspectives and actively participate in our democracy.
“The inclusion of local voices is critical in ensuring that our communities are represented and reflected as part of our diverse nation.”
The deputy minister also noted that even as a community journalist, Aserie held those in power, in local municipalities, to account.
He said in this age of misinformation and disinformation, community journalists must be guardians of truth.
“In moments of crisis and disaster, community media practitioners become part of the first responders; providing life-saving local information,” stated Deputy Minister Morolong.
“In the aftermath of their disappearance, Premier Panyaza Lesifu and I, representing the National Government, met with the families and the police on separate occasions, optimistic that Zodwa and Aserie would return to their loved ones safe.
“Our hopes were shattered when their remains were discovered.
“We are confident that our criminal justice system will ensure that those responsible for their killing face the full might of the law. We intend to make sure of it.”
Mourners at the funeral included Ndlovu, Mdhluli, and Shabangu families and relatives; representatives of traditional leadership; the National Press Club, led by deputy chairperson, Belinda Pheto; the African Media and Communicators Forum, led by Elijah Mhlaba and officers of the South African Police Service, led by Brigadier Nama.
