Two more suspects nabbed in Mariannhill murder of Clover worker

More suspects have been arrested in the killing of a Clover employee who disappeared while returning home from work on October 23, 2025 in Mariannhill.

Last week, a neighbour of the deceased, Sibongiseni Johannes Mbhele, handed himself over to Mariannhill police months after the disappearance of 34-year-old Kholiwe Cele.

It is alleged that Mbhele accused Cele of having an extramarital affair with his wife. Mbhele appeared in a packed Pinetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where residents from Koffie Farm in KwaNdengezi, west of Durban, picketed outside the court and urged that he not be granted bail.

On the same day as Mbhele’s court appearance, police arrested two more men linked to the crime. The suspects were traced to KwaNdengezi, where they were allegedly hiding at relatives’ homes.

Cele was employed at Clover’s Northdene plant in Queensburgh. On the evening of Thursday, October 23, he hitched a lift in a vehicle commonly used to transport staff home. When he failed to arrive, his family grew concerned, saying it was uncharacteristic of him and that his phone was unreachable.

Information later emerged, after photographs of Cele circulated, that he was last seen alighting from a vehicle near the Engen Mariann Star Convenience Centre, popularly known as Bimbos, in Mariannhill, on Old Richmond Road near the M1 highway.

It is alleged that Mbhele confessed last Friday, revealing that Cele was killed with the assistance of the two other suspects. His body was allegedly dumped in the uMngeni River near Springfield, with a rock tied to it to weigh it down.

Cele’s brother, Sibonelo Cele, welcomed the swift arrests by Mariannhill SAPS.

“We were in the dark for a very long time, but now we are happy with the progress made by the police,” he said.

He added that police were unable to locate Cele’s body during a search conducted on Sunday at the site identified by Mbhele.

“However, we remain hopeful. As a family, we are planning to accompany the police to the Phoenix Government Mortuary to help identify unidentified bodies there,” he said.

According to Sibonelo, police informed the family that a body was recovered from the same river that likely matches Cele’s description.

A positive identification would allow the family to begin funeral arrangements. He said the family is in mourning but has not yet started traditional rituals, as the body has not been formally identified.

Mbhele is expected to return to court on Tuesday. When he made his first appearance on Monday, Cele said they were disgusted by what he did.

“He has no place in society after what he did. We trusted him. He had a good relationship with our family, including Kholwani. What he did shows cruelty, and he does not deserve to return to the community,” said Cele.

He added that the community was angry, which is why residents had come out in large numbers to support the family.

“People are angry. He was a trusted member of the community, yet he committed such a heinous act,” he said.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE