Inkosi Zuma faces third murder charge as political killings probe widens

Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma has become one of the most high-profile figures facing charges under the KwaZulu-Natal’s Political Killings Task Team, which has become a power tussle between National Commissioner of Police General Fannie Masemola,  acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zuma will be due back in the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face a fresh murder charge, bringing the number of cases against him to three.

The traditional leader of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority was last week formally charged with the 2022 murder of Xolani Ntombela-Ndlovu, who was gunned down at his home in eMasosheni near Mpophomeni, Howick. Zuma’s co-accused in this case was Thembelani Mbatha.

Ntombela-Ndlovu was believed to have been targeted for opposing the illegal sale of municipal land in eMasosheni. The state has indicated that a third suspect linked to the killing would soon be arrested.

Zuma has also been charged for the December 2023 murder of his nephew, DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu of the uMngeni Local Municipality. Ndlovu was assassinated in front of his wife and children.

He was also accused of orchestrating the killing of Qalokunye Zuma, a senior induna of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority in Mpendle.

Zuma was granted bail in July in the matter relating to the murder of Qalokunye Zuma but was rearrested weeks later over the DA councillor’s killing. 

His co-accused in that case were Thobani Hlongwa, Khayelihle Shabalala and Thabo Chonco, while another suspect, Zwelithini Buthelezi, has become a state witness.

Through his lawyer, Advocate Sthembiso “Sticks” Mdladla, Zuma has denied any involvement in the killings, claiming he had little to no association with his co-accused except for Buthelezi, who, as an induna, worked with him on tribal authority matters and also monitored his fleet of minibus taxis.

Zuma alleged that Buthelezi’s decision to turn state witness was motivated by personal gain: “His confessions and Section 204 statement have bought him freedom solely by implicating me,” he said.

Zuma has also dismissed claims contained in an affidavit by investigating officer Sergeant Delani Chamane that he bribed a magistrate in Mpendle with R200 000 to secure bail. 

He described the allegation as an attempt to intimidate the presiding magistrate in his current case. The state has alleged that the money was paid by Thobani Zuma, an MPL for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in KwaZulu-Natal, a claim Inkosi Zuma said was aimed at tarnishing the MPL's reputation. 

He further denied instructing Buthelezi to poison a witness linked to a case involving a close associate of businessman Khulubuse Zuma, stating he knew nothing about the matter other than that Khulubuse was in Dubai.

Zuma also accused investigating officers of assaulting him during a search of his jail cell at Westville Prison, which he claimed left him with a nosebleed. On the same day, he was found in possession of a mobile phone.

During his last bail bid, Zuma detailed his R6 million property portfolio, livestock business and expenses.

In an affidavit read by Mdladla, Zuma disclosed that he owned four properties: a R1.4 million home in Mpendle, a R1.5 million property in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, a R1.5 million house in Howick West and a R1.7 million residence in Claridge, near Hilton, in the KZN Midlands.

His wife, a teacher, lives in Mpendle, while his children and his fiancées occupy the other homes. He further stated that he owned 400 cattle, 42 goats and 120 sheep, claiming an annual income of R500 000 from livestock sales and R300 000 from fresh produce.

He also owned three minibus taxis, each generating about R50 000 per month, as well as two SUVs, a double-cab bakkie and two tractors. The court heard that Zuma supports 10 children, two with his wife and eight out of wedlock, and paid close to R160 000 annually in school and crèche fees.

Zuma's legal team and the state were expected to present their final arguments tomorrow.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE