CCN

23 September 2026 | 17:05

JOHANNESBURG — The music industry gathered in Randburg on Wednesday to remember music rights activist Owen Ndlovu, whose killing has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s entertainment community.

Ndlovu was found dead with gunshot wounds in Thokoza on Gauteng’s East Rand last week.

He had reportedly been hijacked and kidnapped in Katlehong while fetching his wife from church.

His body was later found in Thokoza.

Industry calls for answers

Veteran music promoter Vusi Leeuw, a friend of Ndlovu, used the memorial service to call on police to find those responsible.

“I will also request our government to make sure that the people who are behind the killing of Owen are found as soon as possible,” Leeuw said.

He said the family needed answers to understand how to move forward.

The call reflects the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of Ndlovu’s death.

A death that shocked those closest to him

Ndlovu’s colleagues have described the circumstances surrounding his death as deeply disturbing.

Music artist and colleague Eugene Mthethwa previously spoke about the impact on Ndlovu’s family.

He said Ndlovu’s wife was directly affected by the hijacking and later had to identify his body.

Mthethwa described the emotional burden on the family, particularly Ndlovu’s children.

Questions remain

Investigators are still expected to establish what happened between the alleged hijacking and the discovery of Ndlovu’s body.

Questions include whether he was specifically targeted and why the attackers allegedly continued pursuing him.

His death has also raised questions because of his work within the music-rights sector.

However, investigators have not publicly established a motive.

It would therefore be premature to attribute his killing to his professional activities without evidence.

Calls for a full investigation

The memorial service became both a moment of mourning and a call for accountability.

Leeuw said the industry needed to understand what it was facing.

For Ndlovu’s family, the priority remains obtaining answers and seeing the investigation reach the courts if suspects are identified.

Police have not announced a conviction in the case.

Remembering Ndlovu

The memorial brought together people from the music and broadcasting sectors who knew Ndlovu through his work.

His death has left an industry mourning one of its advocates while investigators continue searching for answers.

Crime Connect will continue to follow the investigation.