Inkosi Zuma's bail application: traditional leader charged in political killings

Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma, the traditional leader of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority, returns to the Howick Magistrate's Court today to hear the fate of his bail application in a murder charge.

In total Zuma faces three murder charges, two of which involved the demise of his relatives. The traditional leader is one of the most high-profile figures facing charges under the KwaZulu-Natal 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 faces a new murder charge for the 2022 killing of Xolani Ntombela-Ndlovu, who was gunned down at his home in eMasosheni near Mpophomeni, Howick.

Ntombela-Ndlovu was believed to have been targeted for opposing the illegal sale of municipal land in eMasosheni. 

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 his cousin, 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 by the Political Killings Task Team 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.

The court is expected to make a ruling on Zuma's bail application.