Veteran South African sports broadcaster Owen Ndlovu has been found dead hours after he was abducted during a vehicle hijacking in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg.
Ndlovu, a former presenter and producer with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), was reportedly seized on Tuesday while picking up his wife from a church service, police said.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said three unidentified men approached the couple as they were leaving the church, with one of the suspects reportedly carrying a firearm.
“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,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The suspects then drove away with Ndlovu in the Ford Raptor pickup truck.
Police said the vehicle was later recovered abandoned in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg.
Ndlovu’s body was discovered by residents beside a road in Thokoza, near Katlehong, on Wednesday morning. Witnesses reported that he appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds.
A bag belonging to him was also found a short distance from the body.
Police have opened a murder investigation and launched a search for three suspects. Authorities said a post-mortem examination would determine the cause of death.
“At this stage, the family is awaiting further information from the relevant authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding Owen’s death,” family spokesperson Eugene Mthethwa said.
The family described Ndlovu’s death as devastating and thanked residents, police and other members of the public who assisted in efforts to locate him following his abduction.
Ndlovu, 54, was well known among South African sports audiences following years of work with the SABC. He was involved in radio coverage of the Premier Soccer League and later became an advocate for musicians’ rights and royalty payments.
He was also associated with Artists United and the SABC Summer Song of the Year initiative.
Fellow journalist Lelo Mzaca paid tribute to Ndlovu, describing him as someone who lived a “colourful, energetic life” and brought enthusiasm to sports broadcasting.
The provincial government called on residents to assist investigators with information that could help identify those responsible for the killing.
The incident has renewed concerns about violent crime, armed robberies and vehicle hijackings in South Africa.
National police statistics for April to June 2026 recorded more than 5,000 murders and nearly 4,000 carjackings during the period.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said when releasing the figures last month that serious crimes continued to cause fear in communities, including offences carried out by organised and heavily armed criminal groups.
