Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Pietermaritzburg – Furious traditional leaders say former president Jacob Zuma used them and lied about their role in the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. According to isiZulu newspaper Isolezwe, several traditional leaders met in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday to discuss a way forward — and possibly a way out of MKP. Inkosi Dlakadla of the Pheyeni Tribal Authority and Inkosi Sgcwelegcwele Ngema claim that Zuma made promises he never kept. They say Zuma told them he would create a structure to fight for traditional leaders’ land rights but has done nothing. “He is no longer interested in what he promised,” said one of the leaders.
Reservoir Hills – Three suspects were shot dead and two guns recovered after a shootout with police on Friday, 28 March 2025. Police had received intelligence that suspects were planning a house robbery in the area. Officers were given a description of the suspects’ vehicle and spotted it in Reservoir Hills. When they tried to stop it, the suspects opened fire and a gun battle broke out. All three suspects were shot dead. Officers recovered two firearms and a grenade from the vehicle. Two officers were grazed on the head by bullets but were treated at the scene by paramedics.
Mtubatuba: The KwaZulu Natal High Court sitting in Mtubatuba has sentenced Ntombizodwa Ntinga, 46, and Samkelo Mpanza, 22, to life in jail for the murder of Warrant Officer Nkosinathi Ntinga, 49, and family friend Mpendulo Mdluli, 34. On 1 August 2023, Warrant Officer Ntinga was at his Phathane homestead with his wife, Sergeant Ntombizodwa Ntinga, and Mdluli when Mpanza and another man stormed in with guns. They robbed the officers of their service pistols and phones, then forced Ntinga and Mdluli into Mdluli’s car and fled. A few kilometres from the homestead, they beat Mdluli and pushed him out of the moving vehicle. Later, police found Warrant Officer Ntinga’s body near the Msunduzi River with several gunshot wounds. Mdluli’s vehicle was found abandoned in a sugarcane field.
Pictured above: MKP traditional leaders accused Party leader Jacob Zuma of exploiting them.
Image source: MKP
