After nearly a month of fear, unanswered questions and mounting public pressure, 27-year-old Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka has been found alive after walking into the Vosloorus police station on Saturday evening.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Vosloorus confirmed that Kubheka, who was reported missing on April 2, presented himself at the station.
“The individual presented himself at Vosloorus police station on the evening of 02 May 2026. His identity has been verified and will be reunited with his family after receiving medical assessment,” said police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, with investigations now underway to determine what transpired during the nearly 30 days he was missing.
“At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the missing person case are still sketchy and police investigations are underway,” Nevhuhulwi added.
The development marks a dramatic turning point in a case that had sparked widespread concern, community mobilisation and political intervention.
Previously, The Star reported that Kubheka’s disappearance had left his family in Vosloorus desperate for answers, describing the ordeal as “the longest 21 days” of their lives. His sister, Deli Mofokeng, recounted how he left home early on April 2 to deposit rent money for his tuck shop business, but never returned.
The family raised concerns that Kubheka may have been under pressure to sell his business, with allegations emerging of intimidation linked to a dispute over the spaza shop. Reports of suspicious vehicles seen near his shop and an unverified claim of a possible abduction deepened fears, while the slow pace of the investigation left the family feeling “in the dark”.
The case quickly escalated beyond a missing person report, drawing political attention. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba handed over a memorandum to the Police Ministry, warning that delays in the investigation had eroded public trust and highlighting broader concerns about safety and policing in Vosloorus.
Now, with Kubheka found alive, focus shifts to what led to his disappearance and whether the concerns raised by his family point to a wider issue.
SAPS thanked the community, media and stakeholders who played a role in circulating information during the search.
“There is no waiting period to report a missing person. Immediately you suspect your family member or relative is missing notify the police on 08600 10111 or at the nearest police station,” Nevhuhulwi said.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni are expected to brief the media on the latest developments in the case, including ongoing investigations and law enforcement interventions, at 10am today at the Vosloorus police station.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za