Turbulent week for Xolani Khumalo: Two court appearances and an MMC appointment rejected by ActionSA
ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court this week in an assault matter and is scheduled to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in a separate fatal shooting case, while his party rejected his MMC appointment in Ekurhuleni.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
It has been a turbulent week for Xolani Khumalo, the presenter of Moja Love’s Sizokuthola and ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.
On Wednesday, Khumalo appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in connection with an assault case arising from a December 2025 anti-drug operation in Katlehong. He faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing of a firearm.
Khumalo handed himself over at the Katlehong police station on 19 January 2026 following the complaint. On Wednesday, the matter was postponed for further proceedings, and he remains out on bail.
On Thursday, Khumalo is scheduled to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in a separate matter relating to the fatal shooting of a Nigerian man during a filming operation in Windsor, Johannesburg, on 8 February 2026.
The shooting occurred during the production of Sizokuthola, a programme that targets alleged drug syndicates. A murder docket was opened after the man was shot dead during the operation. ActionSA has stated that unknown individuals allegedly fired first, prompting a specialised security team attached to the production to return fire. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
Amid these legal proceedings, Khumalo was also at the centre of political developments in the City of Ekurhuleni.
On Tuesday night, Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza announced a reshuffle of the mayoral committee and named Khumalo as MMC for Community Services and By-Law Enforcement.
However, ActionSA rejected the appointment the following day, stating that it would not participate in the current coalition arrangement in the metro. The party said accepting executive positions would contradict its political stance and confirmed that Khumalo remains its mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.
The overlap of two separate criminal matters and a rejected executive appointment within days has placed Khumalo under significant legal and political scrutiny.
Both court matters remain before the courts.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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