Public Safety MMC denies JMPD involvement in Sizok'Thola shooting incident
ActionSA’s Xolani Khumalo has courted controversy once again after the alleged shooting of a reported drug dealer at the weekend.
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City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, has distanced himself and his department from the fatal shooting of an alleged Nigerian drug dealer, who was shot during the filming of Sizok'Thola TV show, anchored by ActionSA councillor, Xolani Khumalo.
This comes as ActionSA confirmed, in a statement, that its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khumalo, was present when his security team fatally shot a Nigerian man during an anti-drug operation in Linden, Windsor East, Johannesburg.
The shooting occurred on Sunday while an episode of the Moja Love television programme Sizok’Thola was being filmed.
The party stated that the man was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
Media reports alleged that officers from the City of Johannesburg were also present during the incident, with Tshwaku vehemently denying this allegation.
"The Public Safety MMC in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, notes the misleading reporting in Timeslive that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was part of an operation where an alleged drug dealer was killed, during an operation by the Sizok'Thola TV show.
"The MMC would like to put on record that the JMPD had no knowledge of the said operation and was not part of it. The JMPD only responded to a request for back-up from the South African Police Services (SAPS) when the community started revolting because of the incident," the city stated.
The incident was confirmed by Gauteng police spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, who revealed that Public Order police were called to the scene to restore calm following the shooting.
"Preliminary investigations indicated that a production company was filming in the area and that shots were fired, allegedly by the production team’s security. The production team went to the police station when a group of people started protesting. A case of murder has been registered, and investigations are under way," Sibeko said.
MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The party issued a statement confirming that it stands by Khumalo, who, in his duties, is fighting the scourge of drug trafficking in local communities as part of his weekly TV show.
It added that it would continue to support decisive and lawful measures to dismantle drug networks and confront criminals who believe they are untouchable.
"For too long, drug syndicates have terrorised our communities through violence, intimidation, and total disregard for the law," ActionSA said in a statement.
This is not the first time Khumalo has faced legal challenges related to his TV show. Last month, Khumalo turned himself in at the Katlehong police station amid reports of his imminent arrest, which was linked to an incident from last year in which Khumalo and two others allegedly assaulted a man during a reported drug bust.
The anti-drug activist-turned-politician was subsequently granted R2,000 bail after appearing before the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court. His matter was postponed to February for further investigation.