What started as a routine anti-drug operation in Ekurhuleni on Sunday, January 8, escalated when shots were fired, leaving a Nigerian suspect linked to drug trafficking wounded. ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, was on the scene to motivate and support the operation team.
This follows Khumalo’s voluntary handover to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on January 19, after reports of an intended arrest in a disputed assault case. ActionSA said Khumalo acted proactively after learning of the reports and arranged a meeting with SAPS to clarify their intentions.
According to the party, the case is connected to a 2025 SAPS operation in Katlehong, where Khumalo was present during the raid on a suspected drug dealer. ActionSA claims the suspect later filed a false assault charge against Khumalo and is linked to wider criminal activity involving some police members. Khumalo has long worked to expose criminal syndicates and maintain community safety, building a national profile as a crime and safety advocate.
Siyanda Makhubo, ActionSA’s spokesperson in Ekurhuleni, said Khumalo was not armed and was never meant to participate in the operation.
“He was there to address, offer support and motivate the team. What we know is that the drug lords were not cooperating, and an altercation ensued, resulting in a shootout,” Makhubo explained.
He confirmed that Khumalo left the scene before the operation began.
The incident left the Nigerian suspect injured, while Khumalo issued a statement reinforcing his stance against criminal syndicates.
“For too long, drug syndicates have terrorised our communities through violence, intimidation and total disregard for the law. ActionSA will continue to support every decisive and lawful measure to dismantle this scourge and confront the violent resistance of criminals who have grown comfortable believing they are untouchable. That era must and will end,” Khumalo said.
He further highlighted ActionSA’s 10-Point Action Plan to Fix Ekurhuleni, placing Safety and Law Enforcement at the centre.
“From cleaning up the EMPD, to establishing specialised units to dismantle drug syndicates and gangs in key hotspots, to deploying detection and crime-mapping technology for rapid response, and to reskilling and capacitating Community Policing Forums, ActionSA has a clear plan to reverse Ekurhuleni’s descent into lawlessness,” he added.
The Star
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