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The murder case of uMngeni Municipality DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu suffered another setback on Tuesday after proceedings were postponed yet again, delaying anticipated guilty pleas by two of the accused.

Khayalihle Shabalala and convicted killer Deon Mathonsi had been expected to enter guilty pleas in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court. However, their legal representative told the court that outstanding issues still needed to be finalised, prompting a request for a postponement.

The pair appeared alongside co-accused Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma of the Nxamalala Tribal Authority and Thobani Hlongwane.

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The matter was adjourned to July 15 for possible pleas, drawing visible frustration from Ndlovu’s family members and uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas, who were present in court.

The latest delay follows a similar postponement last week, when the state said it had only received the accused’s plea submissions on the day of the hearing and required time to study them.

Pappas criticised the repeated delays, saying they were prolonging the family’s wait for justice and raising concerns about the State’s readiness to prosecute the matter.

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“These delays are deeply frustrating for everyone who wants to see justice served. They also raise questions about whether the prosecuting team is fully prepared and treating this case with the seriousness it deserves,” said Pappas.

He also raised concerns about the potential impact of plea agreements, warning that they could allow key figures behind the murder to evade accountability.

“We are concerned that plea deals could create a gap where those who may have orchestrated the murder, handled the money or played a broader role do not face the full might of the law,” he said.

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Pappas said the DA had appointed private investigators due to what he described as a poor conviction rate in political killings. He claimed the team had already gathered substantial evidence, but that the State had been reluctant to engage with them.

We were quicker in collecting evidence, including witness statements, cellphone tower data and financial records.

“This information could have been shared with the State much earlier, but there has been reluctance to engage with our investigators,” he said.

He further referenced broader concerns about the handling of political killings, saying developments in related inquiries were adding to public doubt. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the justice system.

The National Prosecuting Authority has not yet commented on Pappas’remarks.