Who was Owen Ndlovu? Former SABC presenter found dead

Former SABC presenter Owen Ndlovu was found dead on Wednesday 16 September, days after being hijacked and kidnapped in Katlehong, on Gauteng’s East Rand.

OWEN NDLOVU’S BODY FOUND

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that Ndlovu was fetching his wife from a church service in Katlehong, when three approached their vehicle. One, who was allegedly armed with a firearm pushed her aside and forced Ndlovu into the back seat of his Ford Raptor bakkie before driving off.

His body was discovered the following morning by residents of Thokoza in Ekurhuleni having sustained gunshot wounds. The hijacked bakkie was later found abandoned in Walkerville. Police have launched a manhunt for the three suspects. A postmortem is expected to formally confirm the cause of death.

“According to the residents who found him, Owen had sustained gunshot wounds. His bag was also found a few metres from where his body was discovered,” said  family spokesperson Eugene Mthethwa.

“At this stage, the family is awaiting further information from the relevant authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding Owen’s death,” said Mthethwa.

WHO WAS OWEN NDLOVU?

• He was a former SABC sports presenter. Ndlovu built a long broadcasting career with the SABC, covering football and other sporting codes across the network’s sport division.
• He is married to Portia Ndlovu.
• Ndlovu was deeply involved in PSL radio coverage. Beyond his on-air work, Ndlovu ran production company Michaelowen Productions, through which he was closely involved in Premier Soccer League radio programming.
• He became a prominent music rights activist. Ndlovu’s career expanded well beyond sport into the music industry, where he became a committed advocate for artists’ rights, working at the intersection of media and the creative sector.
• Ndlovu helped shape a major music initiative. The former sports presenter was involved with Artists United and contributed to the concept behind the SABC Summer Song of the Year, reflecting his hands-on role in supporting South African music talent.