Family of Zibuse Mlaba rejoices as bail denied for alleged assassin

The family of former ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba can finally find some joy and happiness after the Camperdown Magistrate's Court denied bail on Thursday morning to the man alleged to be behind his assassination.

Mlaba, a former member of the KZN legislature and the ANC's provincial deputy chairperson, was gunned down on October 21, 2021. The murder took place outside his office at Wareing's Shopping Centre in Cato Ridge.

Prosecutors claim that Mlaba's 63-year-old cousin, Mzamo Mlaba, orchestrated the hit, allegedly paying R130,000 and instructing Nhlanhla Hlongwa, Mncedisi Gwala, and Fortune Dlamini to carry out the murder.

Following the assassination, Mzamo allegedly bought the murder weapons for R10,000 each; however, the firearms have not been recovered.

Mzamo was arrested on April 4, 2025. Although he initially abandoned his right to apply for bail, he later decided to apply.

Magistrate Mlotshwa ultimately determined that granting him bail would not serve the interests of justice.

Magistrate Mlotshwa stated that Mzamo failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate exceptional circumstances warranting his release. 

“The applicant only testified orally, and there were no papers to substantiate what he was saying,” he noted. 

Mlotshwa pointed out that while the defence spent considerable time arguing that Mzamo was sickly, no medical evidence was presented to support this claim, calling the lack of documentation crucial. He stressed that the only information available to the court was Mzamo's oral testimony.

The court acknowledged Mzamo’s right to be released on bail under reasonable conditions and his right to be presumed innocent. However, Mlotshwa clarified that these rights are not absolute, noting the presumption of innocence is more of a trial right than a bail right.

Speaking about the safety of State witnesses, Magistrate Mlotshwa highlighted that Mzamo faces a separate murder charge for the death of Gwala, who possessed information about Mlaba's murder. Mzamo was denied bail in that case as well by the Umlazi Magistrate's Court in November.

The magistrate also criticised Mzamo for failing to provide documentation, such as title deeds or utility letters, for the properties he claimed to own, and for failing to prove ownership of the 10 cars he claimed to possess. 

Mlotshwa concluded that the State had established a prima facie case against Mzamo, noting the existence of Section 204 witnesses (accomplice witnesses).

 Family members of Mlaba present in the gallery smiled as the court's ruling was delivered. Simultaneously, Mzamo's supporters from the same family appeared bewildered.

Outside the courtroom, they rushed to thank and hug State prosecutor Advocate Nokulunga Ngcobo and the members of the Political Killings Task Team. Mandisa Mlaba described the ruling as a Christmas gift for the family. 

“People need to understand that there are consequences to their actions and the law always takes its course,” she said, adding that Mzamo being denied bail twice in separate courts was a rubber stamp that the charges laid against him have truth to them.

Mzamo will appear at the Camperdown Regional Court in February 2026 to be served an indictment.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za