ActionSAwill not compel its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidateXolani Khumaloto step aside after he was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting a drug dealer in Katlehong, but denied it was being hypocritical given its previous criticism of the ANC in similar instances. Khumalo handed himself over at the Katlehong police station on Monday and was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm. ActionSA leaderHerman Mashabahas previously stated that it would not support any member found wanting by law enforcement, accusing theANCof supporting its own criminally charged members at the expense of South Africans.
The ANC has since introduced astep asiderule, which stipulates that its members should relinquish their position in the party or in government if they face charges, until they have been cleared, if that is the case. Mashaba said the party would stand firmly behind Khumalo, arguing that he was being targeted for confronting criminal syndicates, rather than engaging in criminal conduct himself. “Absolutely, 200% he is our candidate (for mayoral committee),” Mashaba told theMail & Guardian.
“We are not the ANC and will support anyone in ActionSA who is being targeted by criminal syndicates. Someone like Xolani must be supported for being brave enough to protect our communities. “The ANC is supporting criminals; here we are supporting someone fighting criminals.
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You heard General [Dumisani] Khumalo last week at the ad hoc committee explaining how a large percentage of the police are working for drug cartels. Xolani is fighting that and that is why we are really proud of him.” Last week,Dumisani Khumalo, the head of crime intelligence, told parliament’s committee investigating corruption in the criminal justice system that at least 90% of police officers in Gauteng were working with drug cartels. Xolani Khumalo’s arrest is not the first time that he has faced allegations of assault linked to his anti-drug activities.
Before joining ActionSA, he hosted the television programme,Sizok’thola, where drug busts were conducted. Those caught during the show later alleged that they were assaulted and coerced into confessing to drug dealing. In 2024, Khumalo was arrested on charges of murder, robbery and malicious damage to property following the death of Robert “Kicks” Varrie, who died after being interrogated by the Sizok’thola crew and was later dropped off at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus.
The National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges in April last year, citing the need for further investigation. Mashaba said ActionSA would openly support party members arrested for fighting drug dealers, foreign nationals illegally in South Africa as well as corruption.
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