Key Takeaways
- ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, will voluntarily hand himself over to the South African Police Service (Saps) on January 19
- The intended arrest is linked to an alleged assault case involving a suspected drug dealer
- ActionSA claims that the suspect laid a false charge against Khumalo after being released from police custody without appearing in court
- The party alleges that the suspect is connected to wider criminal activity involving members of the police
- Khumalo has been a vocal advocate for anti-crime activities in Ekurhuleni and has built a national profile for confronting alleged drug dealers and exposing criminal syndicates
Introduction to the Incident
ActionSA has announced that its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, will voluntarily hand himself over to the South African Police Service (Saps) on Monday, January 19. This move follows information leaked from within Saps indicating an intention to arrest Khumalo in connection with an incident involving an alleged drug dealer. According to the party, Khumalo has agreed to hand himself over voluntarily, a decision that comes amid what it describes as ongoing harassment by criminal elements in retaliation for his anti-crime activities in Ekurhuleni.
Background to the Case
The matter is linked to a SAPS operation conducted in Katlehong in 2025, during which Khumalo was present when the residence of a suspected drug dealer was raided. According to ActionSA, police discovered unlicensed ammunition and arrested the suspect. However, the suspect was later released without appearing before a court, and the ammunition was allegedly returned. ActionSA claims that, following his release, the same suspect laid a false charge of assault against Khumalo, a charge the party says police are now acting upon. This sequence of events has raised concerns about systemic failures within law enforcement and the potential for corrupt elements within the Saps to target those who actively fight crime.
Allegations of Police Involvement in Criminal Activity
ActionSA has further alleged that the suspect is connected to wider criminal activity involving members of the police. According to the party’s national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, "It has since emerged that the suspect is allegedly involved in a drug-dealing racket with members of SAPS, which ActionSA and Khumalo are working with law-enforcement authorities to investigate." This allegation suggests that there may be a deeper level of corruption and collusion between criminal elements and members of the police, which could have serious implications for the integrity of the justice system.
Khumalo’s Background and Advocacy
Khumalo is a well-known public figure through his involvement in television programmes focused on crime and community safety, where he has built a national profile for confronting alleged drug dealers and exposing criminal syndicates. His anti-crime activities in Ekurhuleni have made him a target for harassment and intimidation by criminal elements, according to ActionSA. The party argues that the pending arrest is a prime example of how corrupt elements within the Saps too often allow criminals to walk free while targeting those who actively fight crime.
Conclusion and Implications
The case of Councillor Xolani Khumalo highlights the challenges faced by those who seek to combat crime and corruption in South Africa. The fact that a public figure like Khumalo, who has been vocal about his anti-crime activities, is now facing arrest on what appears to be a false charge, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the justice system. The allegations of police involvement in criminal activity and the harassment of those who seek to expose it, underscore the need for urgent reforms to address these systemic failures and ensure that those who fight crime are protected and supported, rather than targeted and intimidated. As the case unfolds, it will be important to monitor the actions of the Saps and the justice system to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of all individuals, including those who fight crime, are protected.
