ActionSA Struggles To Defend Xolani Khumalo Over Alleged Unlawful Killing Of Nigerian National

ActionSA is coming under intensifying scrutiny as it rallies behind its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, following public backlash over his role in a controversial sting operation linked to the death of an alleged drug dealer on Sunday.

Opposition parties and civil society voices have questioned Khumalo’s involvement in the operation, with critics arguing that the matter underscores deeper concerns about vigilantism and the limits of civilian participation in law enforcement.

Central to the criticism is the assertion that the allegation against the deceased was never tested in court, raising fears about due process in a constitutional democracy.

Despite the mounting pressure, ActionSA has closed ranks around its candidate, portraying Khumalo as a figure taking decisive action where the state has failed — a stance that has done little to quiet growing unease over whether the party is struggling to credibly defend him amid serious allegations.

ActionSA defends Khumalo amid backlash over sting operation

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont insisted that Khumalo’s record speaks for itself, describing him as a proven crime-fighter with deep community support.

“Xolani Khumalo has been kicking down the doors of criminals and drug dealers in communities across Ekurhuleni for years. He has a track record that no other political leader has in that regard.

“He is now offering himself to the people of Ekurhuleni to kick down the doors of corruption and failed governance in the halls of power, which is why his announcement has been met with such hostility from rival political parties.

“Ekurhuleni is broken because of political parties that have been around for a long time who have failed the people of that city, and the people are realising increasingly that if they want something to change, they need to give power to the guy that has proven to them over years how he will make their communities better.”

Beaumont added that the party was unconcerned about the potential electoral fallout from Khumalo’s actions, arguing that resistance was inevitable given the individuals he was confronting.

Legal questions and party loyalty under the spotlight

Khumalo has previously appeared in court on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm — matters that ActionSA has dismissed outright.

“The charges laid against Xolani in Katlehong have been reviewed by the party to be fictitious and frivolous. In our opinion, ActionSA will support his candidature 100% because he is fighting the criminals and drug dealers that operate in our communities with impunity because of corrupt police and ineffective operations that have not dealt with these individuals.”

Beaumont acknowledged that the party expected sustained criticism, framing it as the cost of confronting entrenched criminal networks.

“There are a whole lot more criminals in jail because of Khumalo’s inclusion than there would’ve been if he wasn’t involved.

“ActionSA is very much aware that the cost for standing up and fighting for South Africans who can’t fight for themselves is this level of intimidation and victimisation that Xolani has faced before and will face again.

“We wish we could have many Xolani Khumalos, and we would stand behind each one of them proudly and openly because he is fighting the people who are fighting our communities.”

Civilian role in policing raises rule-of-law concerns

Beaumont defended Khumalo’s presence at the Sunday operation in Randburg, saying his involvement was key to its execution and that law enforcement agencies were best placed to comment on its legality.

“It’s important to contextualise that the operation in Linden on Sunday was not a run-in with the law, it was the law enforcement agency working in close contact with Xolani Khumalo as they have in many instances.

“This is because of his ability to mobilise information from communities and work with the police to ensure that proper law enforcement operations take place.”

He added that police reliance on Khumalo was unsurprising.

“I will say that these operations take place because Khumalo provides the intelligence and all of the information behind the ongoing crime and drug trade taking place in these communities. Without him there would be no operations. They rely heavily on him and his team in respect of these matters, but ultimately, they are best fit to answer on who they do and don’t include.

“There are a whole lot more criminals in jail because of Khumalo’s inclusion than there would’ve been if he wasn’t involved.”

Analyst weighs in on Khumalo’s appeal and risks

Political analyst Sandile Swana echoed the view that Khumalo’s activities did not emerge in a vacuum, though questions remain about the legal framework enabling his involvement.

“If we are going to ask about him as a civilian now, we are going to have to ask how he managed to do these busts that he used to do in the first place. We must assume that somewhere along the line that there is a certain type of permit that he has, either as a private investigator or whatever allows him.”

Swana said Khumalo fits ActionSA’s strategy of fielding unconventional mayoral candidates.

“The work he does is the CV actually that made him attractive to ActionSA. They were looking for a candidate who gets his hands dirty. This is not a candidate who is probably going to appear with a white shirt, red tie, well-ironed suit or speaking Wits or UCT English.”

He added that Khumalo’s candidacy would be closely watched in Ekurhuleni.

“If he takes over as mayor, criminals inside the municipality who are working as councillors and officials are going to know that it is game over. Even the criminals who are outside the municipality in the communities are also going to know that he is a man of action.”

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Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, responded to a TimesLIVE report in which Xolani Khumalo claimed that law enforcement agencies had collaborated with him during the operation. Tshwaku dismissed the assertion, stating that law enforcement was not involved, and called for all those responsible to be held accountable.

“The Public Safety MMC in the city of Johannesburg Councillor Dr Mgcini Tshwaku notes the misleading reporting in Timeslive that the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD), was part of an operation where an alleged drug dealer was killed, during an operation by Sizok’Thola TV show.  

“The MMC would like to place on record that the JMPD had no prior knowledge of the said operation and was not part of its planning or execution. The JMPD only responded to a request from SAPS for backup support. We encourage the law to take its course and for all those involved to be held accountable.

The Public Safety MMC in the city of Johannesburg Councillor Dr Mgcini Tshwaku notes the misleading reporting in Timeslive that the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD), was part of an operation where an alleged drug dealer was killed, during an operation by… pic.twitter.com/tZdJGoQ8Y3

— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) February 9, 2026