Is political provocateur Goolam really dead? Here’s what we know so far

A sudden death that set social media alight

By mid-morning on Monday, one question was dominating political WhatsApp groups and X timelines alike: Is Goolam dead?

Reports emerged that Goolam Muhammed Suliman Vawda, the man widely believed to be behind the incendiary @Goolammv X account had been found dead in a Sandton hotel room. Almost instantly, speculation spread, fuelled by the same platform that made Goolam one of the most notorious political agitators in South Africa’s online space.

What followed was a mix of shock, disbelief, relief, anger and unanswered questions.

What police have confirmed and what they haven’t

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket after a 50-year-old man was discovered dead in a Sandton hotel room on the morning of 27 January 2026.

At this stage, the cause of death remains unknown and will only be determined once postmortem results are finalised. Police have also been careful not to officially confirm the identity of the deceased.

“As the police, we are not at liberty to confirm or give details of the victim,” Nevhuhulwi said, stressing that investigations are ongoing.

The online reaction: shock, silence and sharp words

Despite the lack of formal confirmation, the name “Goolam” quickly trended on X fitting for someone whose digital presence had become both influential and inflammatory.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, frequently targeted by the account, struck a restrained tone in a public post.

“You may have insulted me and used your handle as a propaganda weapon, I will not stoop low. May your family be consoled. #RIPGoolam,” Lesufi wrote.

The message drew mixed reactions, with some praising the maturity of the response and others revisiting the fierce exchanges between the two in recent months.

A figure who thrived on controversy

The @Goolammv account had become infamous for relentless attacks on politicians, journalists and public figures, often pushing the boundaries of political commentary.

Just weeks before his reported death, Goolam had launched a scathing attack on Lesufi, accusing him of misgovernance in Gauteng and manipulating political narratives, claims that regularly sparked backlash and counterattacks online.

ANC veteran Lindiwe Sisulu had also publicly questioned why Goolam appeared fixated on her, rather than on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Phala Phala scandal.

Legal pressure before his death

Reports suggest that Goolam was served with court papers earlier this week, linked to serious allegations including fraud, cyberbullying, hate speech and defamation. These cases reportedly stemmed from years of online conduct targeting high-profile individuals.

That legal pressure has added another layer of intrigue to the circumstances surrounding his death, though police have cautioned against speculation while the inquest continues.

His final political messaging

In one of his last known posts earlier this month, Goolam turned his focus to the future of the ANC, praising President Ramaphosa’s leadership and openly endorsing billionaire Patrice Motsepe as his successor.

“Patrice Motsepe is the future of the ANC,” he wrote, calling him the party’s only viable leader heading into 2027.

President Cyril Ramaphosa inherited a broken economy after 9 wasted years of State Capture.
Today, green shoots are everywhere.

• EU removed SA from financial blacklists
• Canada expects trade to explode with 🇿🇦
• Investment is flooding in
• Confidence is back

What Cyril… pic.twitter.com/y4n1cJujJg

Goolam (@goolamv) January 18, 2026

What happens next

For now, the facts remain limited: a man has died, an inquest is underway, and the identity has not been officially confirmed. Until forensic results and police investigations are concluded, the truth behind Goolam’s reported death remains unresolved.

What is clear, however, is that even in death, confirmed or not Goolam has once again dominated South Africa’s political conversation.