Family Says Mazwi Kubheka Will Need Trauma Counselling After 30-Day Abduction
Police say ransom demands and a community protest helped secure the release of the spaza shop owner after about a month in captivity.
- Following a community protest march on Friday, spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka found his way to the Vosloorus police station on Saturday evening after escaping his captors on the East Rand.
- Abducted on April 2, Kubheka was held blindfolded in a building guarded by Malawians; his sister Nonhle Kubheka reported that the Friday protest march angered the captors, causing aggression toward her brother.
- On Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Major General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed the victim is in a safe location; Lesufi credited the community's tireless searching and protests for Kubheka's safe return.
- Police are investigating a suspect whose name is known to the victim, though Major General Tommy Mthombeni noted that three suspects interviewed in the last month resulted in no arrests yet.
- Determining the motive "remains a grey area," Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said, as police investigate whether the kidnapping involved a syndicate targeting spaza shop owners or general criminality using hijacked buildings.
14 Articles
14 Articles
South Africa: Spaza Owner Survives Kidnapping and Makes Dramatic Return
Mazwi Kubheka walked to safety after being freed by kidnappers and later arrived at Vosloorus police station following his abduction on 2 April. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said community protests played a key role in his release while police continue investigating possible links to organised crime.
'This moment belongs to the community': Lesufi and family thank protestors for Kubheka's return
A community protest demanding the return of spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka is being credited for the release of kidnapping victim. Kubheka found his way to the Vosloorus police station on Saturday evening after being released by his captors. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and provincial police commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni elaborated on incident and the status of investigations at a briefing on Sunday. Mazwi’s sister Nonhle Kubheka …
Police continue to investigate Kubheka kidnapping - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng says it is satisfied that officers followed all necessary procedures in tracing the whereabouts of a missing spaza shop owner. Mazwi Kubheka, 27, was kidnapped a month ago. On Saturday night, a disoriented and scared Kubheka presented himself at the Vosloorus Police Station east of Johannesburg. Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni says, “In terms of the processes flow circulated this par…
Vosloorus Protests Spooked Captors to Free Kidnapped Businessman Kubheka
Johannesburg – A massive protest by residents over the kidnapping of Vosloorus businessman Mazwi Kubheka appears to have prompted his captors to set him free after a month in captivity. Kubheka, who was reported missing by his family on 2 April 2026, was allegedly involved in a dispute with other spaza shop owners, said to be foreign nationals, in the area before his disappearance. On Workers’ Day, Friday, 1 May 2026, a public holiday, concerned…
Spaza owner survives kidnapping and makes dramatic return
By Palesa Matlala Mazwi Kubheka walked to safety after being freed by kidnappers and later arrived at Vosloorus police station following his abduction on 2 April. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said community protests played a key role in his release while police continue investigating possible links to organised crime. Mazwi Kubheka is finally home after a terrifying kidnapping that left his family fearing the worst. The spaza shop owner was a…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
