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NPA denies stonewalling private investigators in Ndlovu murder case

NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the authority had engaged relevant stakeholders in the matter.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has pushed back against claims by uMngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas regarding its handling of the murder case of municipal DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.

This follows Pappas’s allegations that the NPA was unwilling to engage with private investigators appointed by the DA.

ALSO READ | Another delay in Ndlovu murder case frustrates court and community

Pappas also said he had been made aware that a certain legal attorney had attempted to have members of Ndlovu’s family sign some documents without their legal representation.

In response, NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the authority had engaged relevant stakeholders in the matter, including AfriForum and legal representatives acting on behalf of the uMngeni Municipality and the Ndlovu family.

“They were advised that information regarding the investigation must be relayed to the Investigation Team, which is the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT),” Ramkisson-Kara said.

Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA was not aware of any legal attorney speaking to the family without their legal representation.

“This has not been brought to the attention of the NPA,” she said.

ALSO READ | Pappas slams delays in uMngeni councillor Ndlovu’s murder case

The response comes amid growing tensions over delays in the murder case of Ndlovu, who was shot and killed at his home in Emasosheni, near Mpophomeni, in December 2023.

On Tuesday, two accused, Khayelihle Shabalala and Deon Mathonsi, were expected to plead guilty in a plea agreement with the state.

However, their attorney said there were other matters he needed to finalise, and the matter was postponed to July 15, 2026.

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