Bloodstains found in the Avanza linked the driver to Jabulile’s murder because it matched his, according to Detective Mhlongo

By Jonk Wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za

Sergeant Mhlongo, of Alex’s police station, returned to the sportlight when he dealt with Jabulile Nkosi’s complicated murder case successfully.

The murder suspect in the Jabulile case was eventually convicted before the Johannesburg High Court, sitting at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 25 March.

Prince Ndlovu, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean national taxi driver, is to be sentenced on 21 April 2022.

Ndlovu gunned down Jabulile (18) in Juiskei Park known as Lion Crescent Park in 2020.

During the unveiling of Jabulile’s plaque on January 22, 2021, Sipho Nkosi described his younger sister as adorable.

“She was always happy. I’m very touched and pained, but happy at the same time that her name will live forever.”

The Greater Alexandra COSAS Vice-President, Nthabiseng Molele said she was disturbed by the fact that some undocumented foreign nationals did as they pleased in the county not theirs.

“I would like to question the law as to why are they allowing undocumented people in South Africa. Who is going to protect us? Why are we treated like step-children in our own country?”

Ward 105 councilor, Tefo Raphadu said:”She might have died physically but in our minds and hearts she is still with us.”

“If all of us here unite, protect and reclaim our community, we will protect our sisters and each other.

ANCYL Zonal Chairperson Thabang ‘Sankara’ Lediga called on residents to respect and protect Jabulile’s memorial site.

“Anybody who wants to come and pee next to this plague must be dealt with harshly and taken to a nearest hospital (with bruised face),” said Lediga.

She was a grade 12 student at East Bank High School with a vision of becoming an IT specialist or social worker.

Bishop Witts Mahloko of the Holy Church of Christ, said he remembered Jabulile for her singing in church.

“Fix your way so that you will be remembered when you are gone,” he warned.

Mhlongo said Jabulile’s case was very stressful because the cops had no direct eyewitness who saw the murder.

He said they depended on circumstantial evidence that was traced from the Avanza, the phone records of the accused, which both put the accused at the scene.

“And also the blood stains found on the Avanza matched with the deceased’s blood. Witnesses that we had helped a lot by identifying the Avanza and did not give up on the case.

“When they were subpoenaed to court, they availed themselves. Wish the community could do like them. They were not afraid to testify to have justice for Jabulile.

Mhlongo said one of the challenges in this case was the delay in the Avanza driver’s DNA results.

The devoted officer said he only wanted to help the Nkosi family get justice even though it was not easy.

“But I thank them because they were patient and gave me enough time to work on the case without putting pressure on me.

Born in Alexandra, Mhlongo entered SAPS in 2008 and has extensive experience in crime prevention. When not in service, he plays or watches soccer or is at home with his wife.

When asked about the most complicated case he had investigated, Mhlongo recalled the case that began with a missing person before ending with a murder case.

The case took him six months to investigate in a variety of provinces and more than 40 statements were obtained in the case.

Subsequently, Mhlongo reported that two suspected women were detained and the body was found burned in Rustenburg. They were found guilty of murder and kidnapping.

A second case is that of Emmanuel Sithole in 2015, whose murder was linked to xenophobia in Alex. The man in blue worked day and night, traced, arrested the bad guys before bringing them to justice.

Like many other cops whose dedication to ensuring justice prevailed for the victims, Mhlongo said he was not recognized for the hard work.

“Not even a certificate, or incentives or promotion. There’s lots of cases I’ve worked on, which I feel I deserve recognition, but in this industry, it’s tough or maybe it’s our station.”

However, Alex Police Station Commander, Brigadier Lindiwe Magudulela praised Mhlongo for his hard work.

“It was a difficult case to crack. One young boy, a friend of Jabulile who paid attention when she took a taxi, described a color of Avanza and tyres.

“It was magical who pays attention on tires of the car at 01:00am. That boy, I told Sgt Mhlongo, that we have to appreciate him.

“With so many Avanzas in Alex they had to wait on the street to look for the avanza with specific tyres. No registration, no number of the avanza. Some people are naturally gifted.”