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Xolani Khumalo Vows to Expose Corruption in Ekurhuleni as ActionSA’s Mayoral Candidate
The TV crime-fighter takes his mission from the streets to council
From chasing drug dealers on television to chasing corrupt politicians in real life, Xolani Khumalo is swapping the screen for the council chamber. The Sizokthola presenter has officially been announced as ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni ahead of the 2026 local government elections, and he’s wasting no time making bold promises.
“I am going to expose the dirt,” Khumalo told reporters at his first council sitting. “People are going to get fired, and some will even be arrested. If they know they are involved in wrong things, then they are in trouble.”
Known for his uncompromising stance against crime, Khumalo says his next mission is to confront corruption within city structures, especially how public funds have been handled.
“I saw how politicians protect their dirty laundry”
Khumalo hasn’t even been sworn in as a councillor yet, but his first day in council gave him plenty to say. Sitting in the gallery, he said he was shocked by the hypocrisy he witnessed among political leaders.
“I saw how politicians protect their dirty laundry. When I come in, I’ll do what I do in the streets, just in council,” he said.
His presence has already divided the room. Some councillors reportedly welcomed him warmly, while others, particularly from the EFF, appeared uneasy. “I don’t know what intimidates them about me. Maybe they think I’m going to look into their business,” he added with a smile.
A pledge to the people
If elected, Khumalo says his first priority will be tracking the flow of residents’ money. He wants answers on how municipal funds have been used and insists that every cent must be accounted for.
“My primary objective is to know where residents’ money went and who took it,” he explained.
Khumalo also vowed to personally investigate the death of Mpho Mafole, a City of Ekurhuleni auditor who was shot dead earlier this year. Mafole’s death is believed to be connected to an audit report he worked on. “It’s important to give that family closure,” Khumalo said.
From television to public service
Before entering politics, Khumalo became a household name as the hard-talking host of Sizokthola, the Moja Love TV show that exposed drug dealers and criminal networks in townships. His fearless approach earned both praise and controversy, including a 2023 murder charge related to a drug raid in Ekurhuleni, which was later withdrawn.
Now, he says his attention will turn fully to serving the city. “Obviously, I’ll have to stop shooting Sizokthola. My work will be in council, ensuring that Ekurhuleni residents are served and that criminals are dealt with,” he said.
For Khumalo, public office isn’t about the paycheck. “Being a councillor is about service, not salary. People must be able to find you. You are not in council for people; you are there for the people,” he said firmly.
Building a new reputation for leadership
Away from the cameras, Khumalo runs a mining company that specialises in explosives. He’s quick to remind critics that he’s more than a TV personality. “Some people think just because you’re on TV you don’t have brains. It doesn’t work like that,” he said.
His political entry has already sparked strong reactions online. Supporters hail him as a “people’s mayor in waiting,” while sceptics warn that his confrontational style could shake up the city’s fragile alliances.
Either way, Khumalo seems ready for the challenge. “Public servants can do the right thing if they put their minds to it,” he said. “It’s time for us to clean house.”
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Instagram/@centralnewsza
