Ndima_Masoka

EFF Leader Julius Malema Faces Backlash After Amplifying Calls for Arrest of Vosloorus Shop Owner Mazwi Kubheka, Claiming He Faked His Own Kidnapping After Being Found Alive Following Month-Long Ordeal EFF leader Julius Sello Malema faces intense criticism after reposting claims that Mazwi Kubheka faked his kidnapping. The 27-year-old Vosloorus spaza shop owner disappeared on 2 April 2026 after refusing to sell his shop owners to foreign spaza shop owners and was found alive on 2 May 2026 at Vosloorus police station following a month-long ordeal. Malema amplified a post by an X account that appears to be an EFF follower, Msunu ka Johann Rupert stating: "Arrest Mazwi Khubeka for faking his kidnapping; and charge him for perjury, fraud, aswell as wasteful expenditure of state resources." Gauteng officials confirmed the abduction involved South Africans, Ethiopians and Malawians tied to a spaza shop dispute. Social media users called Malema a disgrace for suggesting the victim staged the crime. Critics labelled the move heartless and inhumane, accusing him of siding against local victims while community marches pressured for Kubheka’s release. Kubheka is recovering in a safe house after medical checks, while police pursue the syndicate. The episode has fuelled accusations that the EFF leader is out of touch with township concerns over crime and local businessmen allegedly being bullied foreign nationals.