ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo acquitted of all charges

ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, has been cleared of all charges after a Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court granted a discharge in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, finding him not guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and pointing a firearm.

Ruling and immediate reaction

The court handed Khumalo and his co-accused, Duma Radebe, a discharge under section 174, and both were found not guilty. Khumalo posted his reaction on X:

“The court has found me not guilty on all charges, confirming that justice has prevailed.”

Origin of the charges

The charges arose from a televised anti‑drug raid on 19 December 2025 in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, when a suspected drug dealer alleged that Khumalo and others assaulted him and threatened him with a firearm at his home.

Bail and court appearances

Both men appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. After their arrests in January 2026, Radebe was granted bail of R500, while Khumalo was released on R2 000 bail.

Evidence at trial

The state alleged the complainant, identified in court as Bongani Radebe, was physically assaulted and threatened during the raid. The court heard that the complainant said he was struck and beaten with a firearm and had a weapon pointed at him in contravention of the Firearms Control Act. Both accused entered not‑guilty pleas.

Complainant’s testimony

Giving evidence, the complainant recounted being subjected to prolonged violence while being questioned about alleged drugs. He testified that his hands were restrained behind his back while he was assaulted with a firearm and kicked repeatedly, and that a plastic bag was placed over his head.

He said the assault lasted between 45 minutes and an hour, continued outside the property and only ended when he was taken to a police station. The complainant told the court:

“They were suffocating me using that rubbish plastic bag while simultaneously being assaulted. [I was told] you are going to take out the drugs,”

Next steps

The court’s discharge under section 174 concluded the case in the magistrate’s court, and the accused were found not guilty of the charges brought against them.