Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dropped a bombshell confirmation that the kidnapping of Vosloorus businessman Mazwi Kubheka involved a deadly alliance of South African citizens and foreign nationals, including two Ethiopian suspects, while Malawian guards kept the victim blindfolded in a hijacked building for an entire month.
The 27-year-old spaza shop owner vanished on April 2 after leaving his home to pay rent for his business in the township. He was released by his captors on May 2 and finally presented himself at the Vosloorus Police Station that same night, triggering a high-level media briefing the following day.
Lesufi Names Names In Gripping Press Conference
Speaking at the Vosloorus Police Station on May 3, Premier Lesufi did not hold back.
“I want to state it categorically clear that this case is not closed. We believe that this case will assist us in resolving many other similar cases. We might have not arrested the said individuals yet, but the individuals are now known.”
The Premier confirmed that the mastermind behind the abduction is a South African citizen who is known to Kubheka personally.
“We can confirm that a South African and foreign nationals are involved, including individuals of Ethiopian origin. A South African and two Ethiopians.”
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni revealed disturbing details about the month-long ordeal. Kubheka was kept in a hijacked building where two Malawian nationals served as his guards. He remained blindfolded for most of his captivity and could not tell day from night.
Family Breaks Silence On Harrowing Release
The Kubheka family issued a statement confirming the remarkable sequence of events that led to his return.
“On 2 May 2026, Mazwi was released by his captors in a veld in Ekurhuleni. He managed to make his way to a nearby road, where he was assisted by a taxi driver who transported him towards Vosloorus.”
The statement detailed how Kubheka was dropped off near a roadblock, where he approached the officers on duty and told them his name.
“They immediately recognised him due to the widespread awareness of his case and assisted him. The officers then directed him to the Vosloorus Police Station. As they were attempting to locate the taxi that had transported him, they asked him to proceed into the station on his own, which he did. It was there that he sought help, identified himself again, and the family was contacted.”
The family expressed overwhelming gratitude while revealing his fragile condition.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to have him back home. While he is safe, Mazwi is currently in a fragile condition and is receiving medical care and emotional support as he recovers from this traumatic experience.”
The family has requested privacy and stated that Mazwi is not ready to speak publicly at this stage but will address the public when he is able to.
Community Pressure Led To Release
The turning point came on Friday, May 1, when hundreds of community members marched through Vosloorus demanding Kubheka’s safe return. According to sources at the briefing, the massive public outcry rattled the kidnappers.
The victim’s sister, Nonhle Kubheka, addressed inappropriate comments on social media.
“Some people were saying Mazwi just rocked up at the police station. It is wrong to say he rocked up. It is like saying my brother was just somewhere out there enjoying himself.”
Police Commissioner Mthombeni revealed that Kubheka’s case is just one of many in a province gripped by a wave of kidnappings.
“We have just cracked a case of kidnapping involving a Chinese girl. We have managed to recover the car that was used in the kidnapping as well as an AK 47 rifle.”
ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xholani Khumalo praised the community’s role.
“The community needs to be applauded. It was the noise that the people made that applied the necessary pressure that brought about this outcome.”
Premier Lesufi confirmed that whether the kidnapping is linked to spaza shop syndicates remains a grey area under investigation.