{"id":245540,"date":"2026-05-21T13:24:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/245540\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:24:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:24:16","slug":"watch-xolani-khumalo-visits-spaza-owner-after-kidnapping-ordeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/245540\/","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Xolani Khumalo visits spaza owner after kidnapping ordeal!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3b0dd2fb21074d388f828a8c69d5fb6a.jpeg\" alt=\"ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo visits Mazwi Kubheka after his hospital discharge in Vosloorus. Photo by Happy Mnguni\" height=\"1280\" width=\"960\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n                    ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo visits Mazwi Kubheka after his hospital discharge in Vosloorus. Photo by Happy Mnguni&#13;\n                <\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"tl\">ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo and anti-immigration activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba visited Mazwi Kubheka on Wednesday, 20 May, at a secure, undisclosed location after allegations of Kubheka\u2019s kidnapping. Video by Happy Mnguni. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VJ9TLPWDK3\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/VJ9TLPWDK3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dailysunsa\/status\/2057137478683721841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{24676152-b6ff-4ec1-aa04-1984250f06fa}{189}\" paraid=\"253564979\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">ACTIONSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo, together with anti-immigration activist Nkosikhona \u201cPhakelumthakathi\u201d Ndabandaba, visited Vosloorus spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka on Wednesday afternoon, 20 May, at an undisclosed location.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{43}\" paraid=\"2087533583\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">The visit comes after Mazwi was discharged from hospital following three weeks of medical treatment after his alleged kidnapping ordeal.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{45}\" paraid=\"2070180757\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Mazwi (27) went missing for nearly a month after he was allegedly abducted on 2 April 2026, amid an ongoing dispute linked to his spaza shop business in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{47}\" paraid=\"2085194524\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Mazwi&#8217;s family said he had allegedly been pressured to hand over his business to foreign nationals seeking control of the township\u2019s informal retail economy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{49}\" paraid=\"378384534\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">It&#8217;s alleged that a man known as \u201cZulu\u201d threatened him to sell the shop before his disappearance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{51}\" paraid=\"897967619\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Found alive after the shutdown protest\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{53}\" paraid=\"2077229854\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Mazwi was found alive on 2 May, following widespread community protests and a shutdown in Vosloorus demanding his safe return.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{55}\" paraid=\"27905579\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">During a police media briefing on 3 May, authorities revealed that Mazwi had allegedly been held captive at a hijacked building by Malawian nationals, allegedly with the involvement of South African citizens.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{55}\" paraid=\"27905579\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">ALSO READ:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.snl24.com\/dailysun\/news\/watch-foreign-nationals-sleep-in-the-cold-for-their-safety-20260520\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Foreign nationals sleep in the cold \u2018for their safety\u2019!<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{57}\" paraid=\"1123257168\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Police investigations into the alleged kidnapping and torture are continuing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{59}\" paraid=\"1390014655\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cWhen communities unite, anything is possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{61}\" paraid=\"1039777963\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Speaking after the visit, Khumalo said Mazwi\u2019s return highlighted the power of community unity and activism.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{63}\" paraid=\"1484354635\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cMazwi being back home is proof that when communities stand together, all things are possible. Residents refused to stay silent and demanded justice,\u201d said Khumalo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{65}\" paraid=\"1794288567\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">He added that communities must continue fighting against crime and intimidation affecting kasi businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"d\" data-smallsrc=\"https:\/\/cdn.24.co.za\/files\/Cms\/General\/d\/13103\/a5e4103337e0422fb9e6fc4dad52dabb.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/48118db82f2a4f37861829dc18b26dc8.jpeg\" title=\"Nkosikhona \u201cPhakelumthakathi\u201d Ndabandaba reacts to alleged meeting of foreign business owners at Vosloorus police station.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Nkosikhona \u201cPhakelumthakathi\u201d Ndabandaba reacts to alleged meeting of foreign business owners at Vosloorus police station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{65}\" paraid=\"1794288567\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Concerns over an alleged meeting at the police station\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{69}\" paraid=\"2005512915\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Meanwhile, Ndabandaba expressed concern over allegations that foreign national business owners held a stakeholders&#8217; meeting at the Vosloorus Police Station on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{71}\" paraid=\"1840183559\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">Ndabandaba questioned the purpose of the meeting and called for transparency from authorities regarding issues affecting local business owners and community safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{73}\" paraid=\"968818634\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">The location of Mazwi\u2019s visit was withheld from the media for security reasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{75}\" paraid=\"941418648\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">The SunTeam was among the media present who visited Mazwi and attempted to interview him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{77}\" paraid=\"918966273\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">However, he indicated he is not yet ready to speak publicly, as he remains emotionally traumatised and continues to feel unsafe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{79}\" paraid=\"1614906588\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">He further stated that he&#8217;ll address the media when the time is right.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph SCXW101019818 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" paraeid=\"{2ab99d8d-1838-40c6-b2e2-3c0e5eae568a}{81}\" paraid=\"738692707\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\">It&#8217;s further understood that he&#8217;s currently attending psychological counselling sessions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>        <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"&#13; ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo visits Mazwi Kubheka after his hospital discharge in Vosloorus. Photo by Happy&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":245541,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[52],"tags":[7399,5672,131,106281,16435],"class_list":["post-245540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-south-africa","tag-actionsa","tag-ekurhuleni","tag-south-africa","tag-spaza-shop","tag-xolani-khumalo"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@africa\/116612790312363427","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245540"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245540\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/245541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=245540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=245540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}