By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A South African veteran sports broadcaster, Owen Ndlovu was on Wednesday found dead, just hours after being kidnapped, following the hijack of his vehicle in a township near Johannesburg.
A former presenter with the country’s public broadcaster, the SABC, Ndlovu was abducted on Tuesday while picking up his wife from a church in Katlehong, police said.
His body, which witnesses said had gunshot wounds, was discovered by residents the following morning.
Police have launched a manhunt for three suspects in connection with his murder, which has drawn attention to South Africa’s high levels of violent crime.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said Ndlovu had gone to pick up his wife from a religious service when the attackers struck.
“As she approached their vehicle, three unknown men, one reportedly armed with a firearm, suddenly approached them, pushed her aside and forced her husband into the back seat,” she said.
“The suspects then drove off with the victim.”
The vehicle, a Ford Raptor pick-up truck – commonly known as a bakkie in South Africa was later recovered abandoned in Walkerville, an area south of Johannesburg, police said.
Ndlovu’s body was found by local residents beside a road in Thokoza, which neighbours Katlehong. They said he appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds.
A bag belonging to him was found a few metres away.
Police said they were investigating a case of murder but a post-mortem examination would establish the cause of death.
“At this stage, the family is awaiting further information from the relevant authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding Owen’s death,” a family spokesperson, Eugene Mthethwa stated.
The family described the loss as “devastating” and thanked residents, police and members of the public for their assistance in searching for him after news of his abduction emerged.
Ndlovu was a familiar figure to South African sports fans after years working as a presenter and producer at the SABC.
He was also involved in radio coverage of the country’s Premier Soccer League and later became an advocate for musicians’ rights and royalty payments.
The 54-year-old was also associated with Artists United and the SABC Summer Song of the Year initiative.
The provincial government urged communities to help police with the investigation, saying tackling crime remained a priority.
