Johannesburg: ActionSA has intensified its call for urgent intervention the South African National Police Service (SAPS) following the disappearance of spaza shop owner Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka.
The party, led by ActionSA president Herman Mashaba together with Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and Member of Parliament Lerato Ngobeni delivered a memorandum of demands to the Police Ministry
Kubheka was reported missing on 2 April 2026 after he was last seen in Marimba Gardens. It is alleged that he refusal to sell his spaza shop to foreign nationals may have led to his disappearance.
Nearly a month later, no arrests have been made and no significant breakthrough has been reported in the investigation.
Mashaba and his delegation expressed frustration at what they described as inadequate updates and a lack of visible progress from the SAPS particularly at the Vosloorus Police Station, which is handling the case.
“The continued silence and perceived inaction have not only failed the Kubheka family but have also heightened fear and frustration within the broader community,” Mashaba said.
ActionSA warned that the absence of consistent communication has created a vacuum, fuelling speculation and misinformation while increasing tensions among residents.
The party has called on the Police Ministry to take direct national oversight of the case, ensure urgent prosecutorial guidance, and increase visible policing in Vosloorus. It has also demanded a full review of how the investigation has been handled to date.
In addition, ActionSA urged authorities to work with the Department of Home Affairs and metro police to verify the legal status of foreign nationals operating spaza shops in local communities, linking the issue to broader concerns about crime and regulation.
“This is no longer just about one missing person. It is about the credibility of our policing system and whether communities can trust that their safety is taken seriously,” Mashaba said.
He cautioned that failure to act decisively could further erode public trust in law enforcement and risk instability if communities feel abandoned.
