WATCH | Gunman ‘unaware’ uMngeni DA councillor was a political figure
Khayelihle Shabalala, one of two accused who admitted involvement in the murder of Ndlovu said he only discovered days later while scrolling on social media that the man they had shot was a DA councillor.
One of the accused who pleaded guilty to the murder of uMngeni Municipality DA councillor, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu told the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on Wednesday that he learnt two days after the murder that Ndlovu was a political figure.
Khayelihle Shabalala, one of two accused who admitted involvement in the murder of Ndlovu said he only discovered days later, while scrolling on social media, that the man they had shot was a DA councillor.
Ndlovu was gunned down at his home Emasosheni near Mpophomeni on December 5, 2023.
ALSO READ | Two accused to plead guilty in the murder of uMngeni DA councillor
“On December 7, while scrolling on social media, I discovered that the person we had killed was a DA councillor,” he said.
I then contacted Mathonsi demanding more money. From that day, I could no longer reach him.
Shabalala who had been promised R30 000 for Ndlovu’s murder said he only received R24 000 a day after the murder with the balance promised to be sent later.
He said when he realised that Ndlovu was a political figure, he demanded more money but communication with the person who organised him for the job were cut.
Shabalala said he had been recruited for the hit by his co-accused Deon Mathonsi who also pleaded guilty on Wednesday.
ALSO READ | AfriForum accuses NPA of sidelining slain DA councillor’s wife in plea talks
He said Deon had told him that the target was a “drunkard” who was causing problems in the community, related to selling plots of land.
He said on the day of the murder, he and two accomplices went to Ndlovu’s home in Emasosheni near Mpophomeni, where they forced entry and shot him.
Shabalala claimed he did not fire any shots as his accomplices had already killed Ndlovu.
Mathonsi admitted he facilitating Ndlovu’s murder from prison after allegedly being instructed by a man known as “Buthelezi”.
He said he was first approached for the murder in January but was arrested on the same month on another unrelated case.
ALSO READ | Boyfriend arrested for attempted murder after alleged shooting
The matter was postponed to August 11 for further clarity on Mathonsi plea.
Two other accused in the case, Thobani Hlongwa and Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma of the Nxamalala Triabal Authority are expected to receive their inditements in September.
Ndlovu’s family said while they welcomed progress, they were concerned that those who pleaded guilty were not the actual shooters.
“This suggests there are still people who must come forward,” said his brother, Sithembiso Ndlovu.
uMngeni Municipality chief whip Thembelani Sikhakhane said the killing remained painful for the community, adding they hoped more details would emerge as the case progresses.
