Veteran broadcaster abducted and killed

Owen Ndlovu, a former SABC sports presenter, was seized on Tuesday while picking up his wife from church in Katlehong near Johannesburg. His body was found the next morning with gunshot wounds.

Three attackers forced him into his truck

Three men, one armed with a firearm, pushed Ndlovu's wife aside and forced him into the back seat of his Ford Raptor pickup. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg.

Body discovered by residents in Thokoza

Local residents found Ndlovu's body beside a road in Thokoza, which borders Katlehong. A bag belonging to him was found a few metres away from where he lay.

Respected figure in South African sports

Ndlovu spent years as a presenter and producer at SABC, covering the Premier Soccer League on radio and later advocating for musicians' rights. Fellow journalist Lelo Mzaca called him a man who lived a colourful, energetic life.

“South Africa has lost a unique and spirited individual whose light shone brightly while it lasted.”

Crime crisis grips South Africa

Police recorded over 5,000 murders and nearly 4,000 carjackings between April and June 2026. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned that organised criminal groups operate with planning and sophistication.

Police launch manhunt for three suspects

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of Ndlovu's killing and searching for the three men involved in the abduction. A post-mortem examination will establish the official cause of death.