The bodies of a journalist and his partner have been found in South Africa in an advanced stage of decomposition, more than two months after they went missing, local media groups have said.

Police said they had found human remains, but DNA tests still needed to be conducted to confirm they were those of radio journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli.

In a joint statement, two media groups said that police had achieved a breakthrough after arresting five suspects.

The couple were murdered and their bodies dumped in a bush in northern Limpopo province, the media groups said, adding that the deaths had left them in shock and disbelief.

The suspects had reportedly been arrested with stolen furniture, appliances and the parts of a car belonging to the couple who had been missing since 18 February.

Ndlovu was the founder of a local radio station, Capital Live, in South Africa's capital Pretoria.

The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) said that a forensic team had already identified the remains as those of the couple.

"I am terribly sad. We held out hope that despite the number of days that the couple had gone missing, they would still be found alive. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of our brother and sister," said AMCF chairperson Elijah Mhlanga.

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, with many people living in fear.

Official data showed that 26,232 murders took place in 2024, an average of 72 per day.