Inkosi Zuma's fresh bail bid for his latest murder charge

TRADITIONAL leader Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma of the KwaNxamalala Traditional Authority returns to court today at the Howick Magistrate Court for a fresh bail hearing on his latest murder case.

Zuma faces three murder charges, and when he made a brief appearance in court on October 9, 2025, his legal representative indicated that he intends to apply for bail.

Inkosi Zuma, 55, is facing murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges in the latest case of the killing of Xolani Ndlovu-Ntombela, and he is already facing similar charges for the December 2023 killing of DA's Chief Whip in the Umngeni Local Municipality, councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who was his nephew.

He is also facing similar charges for the January 2023 killing of senior Induna of KwaNxamalala Traditional Authority, Qalokunye Zuma, who was his cousin. 

Ndlovu was gunned down in front of his wife and young children at his Mpophomeni home, just like Induna Zuma, who took his last breath outside his home after being gunned down.

Ndlovu-Ntombela was gunned down in eMasosheni outside Howick in November 2022. He had been opposed to the illegal sale of municipal land in the area.

Zuma's final attempt to secure bail for the murder of DA councillor Ndlovu was unsuccessful, as the magistrate overseeing his case, Donna Sindane, denied him bail.

The magistrate's reasoning was that his release would not be in the interest of justice.

The last time Inkosi Zuma's bail bid was successful was in July of this year, when the Impendle Magistrate granted him a bail of R25,000 for the murder of Induna Zuma.

However, he was rearrested a few weeks later by the Political Killings Task Team for the murder of his nephew, the DA councillor Ndlovu, who was against the illegal electricity connection. The state wants his bail revoked for the murder of the induna.

Today's proceedings will be for the appointment of a magistrate who will preside over his new bail hearing.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE