Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma Awaits Bail Decision in DA Councillor Murder Case
Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma, a traditional leader from the Zuma clan in Mpendle, KwaZulu-Natal, faces further delays in his bail application. He is accused of ordering the murder of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu in December 2023. The Howick Magistrate’s Court postponed the bail decision until Friday, October 3rd.
Postponement and Charges
Magistrate Sandy Sindane cited the court's unreadiness to issue the bail ruling as the reason for the postponement. Zuma is charged with the murder of Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who was fatally shot near his home in Mpophomeni, near Howick. Additionally, he faces two other murder charges in separate incidents.
Prior to this arrest, Zuma was already out on bail for the alleged murder of Qalokunye Zuma, one of his headmen. While awaiting this decision, the political killings task team added further charges, linking him to the November 2022 killing of Xolani Ndlovu Ntombela, allegedly hiring a hitman for the crime.
Motive and Allegations
The alleged motive for Ndlovu's murder stems from a dispute over electricity payments. Ndlovu reportedly advised residents to cease paying an electricity transformer fee to a local extortion group. He maintained that only Eskom or the municipality could collect such payments. This angered Zuma, who asserts that the Mpophomeni area falls under the Nxamalala traditional authority.
A preliminary investigation suggests that Xolani Ndlovu Ntombela was killed for exposing illegal land sales in Emasosheni, also within the Mpophomeni area.
DA's Concern and Call for Justice
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed its concern regarding the repeated postponements. DA provincial leader Francois Rodgers stated his disappointment with the delays. He emphasized that "justice delayed is justice denied" and urged the court to expedite the process and ensure accountability for the brutal murder of their councillor. He stated that all the evidence had been tabled and that the case should be proceeded with without any further delays.
