ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo and his co-accused Duma Hadabe in the dock in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. Photo by Happy Mnguni
ACTIONSA mayoral candidate found not guilty.
The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has found ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo and Ekurhuleni Anti-Crime Unit chairman Duma Radebe not guilty of assault and of firearm-related charges.
The ruling means the court found there was insufficient evidence on which a reasonable court could convict the pair.
Khumalo and Radebe faced charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm following an anti-drug operation at a house in Katlehong on 19 December 2025.
During the trial, the state alleged that the complainant Bongani Radebe was assaulted during the operation and was pointed with a firearm in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
ActionSA regional chairman Michael Basch welcomed the judgment, describing it as “a victory for justice”.
“ActionSA has stood firmly behind our mayoral candidate, councillor Xolani Khumalo from the day these charges were laid. We’re pleased that justice has prevailed,” said Basch.
He claimed the case was politically motivated and intended to derail Khumalo’s campaign against drug syndicates operating in Ekurhuleni.
“This was retaliation by people linked to drug syndicates who have invested heavily in destroying the youth of our country. Unable to stop councillor Khumalo’s work in our communities, they sought to keep him tied up in court instead of dismantling drug operations,” he said.
Basch added that Khumalo would now turn his full attention to his mayoral campaign ahead of the local government elections.
“He’ll continue engaging residents across Ekurhuleni while intensifying the fight against drug syndicates. He’s ready to serve every community if residents give him their mandate in November,” he said.
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An emotional Radebe said the verdict brought an end to months of emotional and financial strain.
“I’m relieved we’ve been found not guilty. Justice has prevailed,” he said.
He thanked his parents, brothers and girlfriend for supporting him throughout the trial and paid tribute to his legal representative.
“I also want to thank our defence advocate, Zola Majavu, who worked tirelessly to ensure we were acquitted.”
He said his mum’s unwavering prayers gave him strength throughout the court process.
“My mum never stopped praying for me. The way the case was going, it was difficult, but today is a huge relief,” he said.
Radebe alleged that the charges stemmed from their work in fighting crime and targeting suspected drug dealers.
“When you fight crime, people open cases against you to stop you from doing your work. It affects your life, your reputation and costs you a lot of money in legal fees,” he said.
He alleged that some criminals work with corrupt individuals to frustrate community crime fighters through false criminal cases.
Despite the ordeal, Radebe said the acquittal strengthened his determination to continue serving the community.
“They tried to stop us, but we’re still here. We won’t stop fighting crime. If anything, we’ll fight even harder because our communities deserve to live free from drugs and criminality,” he said.