Police probe into the death of Goolam Vawda, a controversial social media figure

The man believed to be Goolam Mohammed Suliman Vawda, a controversial X commenter who used to discredit and insult politicians, has been found dead in his hotel room in Sandton. 

This was after police said an inquest docket had been opened after a 50-year-old man was found dead in his hotel room in Sandton. 

His body was found on January 27, 2026.

“The police have opened an inquest docket after a 50-year-old man was found dead in his hotel room in Sandton on the morning of 27 January 2026,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, who added that the cause of death is not known at this stage as they are awaiting post-mortem results.

Nevhuhulwi added that police investigations surrounding the death are under way.

Although police did not identify the man as Vawda, sources close to the situation claimed that the man is Vawda. 

Vawda, who is believed to be behind the controversial X (formerly Twitter) handle @goolamv - a social media account used to spread hate speech, cyberbullying, and defamatory statements targeting political figures and private citizens alike, last posted on his account on January 18, 2026.

Vawda has faced significant legal challenges and criminal charges related to his abusive posts on X. 

These include former minister Lindiwe Sisulu and a senior journalist, who laid criminal complaints against Vawda for cyberbullying, hate speech, and publishing defamatory statements against them.

Sisulu filed a criminal complaint against Vawda in July 2024. The case involves allegations of cyberbullying and defamation. She claimed that Vawda used social media to launch “unjustified and highly inflammatory” attacks based on false information to damage her reputation.

This was after Vawda labelled Sisulu as “pro-corruption” and “pro-state capture”, claiming that if she and others like Zweli Mkhize were to lead, it would cause South Africa to collapse.

He claimed that if Sisulu were to win ANC elections, she would “release all jailed for corruption” and stop all corruption investigations, specifically alleging she would disband the Investigating Directorate (ID).

Vawda framed his attacks on Sisulu as part of a defence of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Renew22 campaign, urging South Africans to fully support Ramaphosa against these people.

He also accused the journalist (known to Independent Media) of being paid for writing fake news stories.

A source, who also opened a case of defamation against Vawda, claims that police had informed him that Vawda was unwell.

The source said he received this information after police called him for a witness statement for a case against Vawda.

“He was sick and promised the police that he would get back to them. The police called him again last week, and he told them that he was still sick.

“And the last time they spoke to me was today and they told me that they were going to check if he stays there, and 15 minutes later, they called and said there was a person dead in that room and the hotel has called paramedics to certify him dead,” said the source. 

Vawda also pushed a smear campaign against politicians such as former president Jacob Zuma, Zuma's daughter Duduzile, Julius Malema, Panyaza Lesufi and others, while he used the same platform to protect, defend, and lure support for the current administration, including Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

Passing his condolences, Lefusi, the premier of Gauteng, said: “You may have insulted me and used your handle as a propaganda weapon, but I will not stoop low. May your family be consoled.”

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za