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 particular enquire and we ended up circulating it with the missing persons bureau, and of course following the processes of the missing person, we also requested the picture from the family and out of that then the enquire at the initial stage as it was a missing person ultimately was kidnapping.”
Authorities say they have full confidence in law enforcement agencies to arrest those behind Kubheka’s kidnapping. Kubheka, a tuckshop owner, was allegedly abducted a month ago.
Following protests calling for his safe return on Friday, Kubheka presented himself at the police station on Saturday night.
He was taken to a local hospital by officers, where he is currently receiving treatment.
During a joint media briefing by the provincial government and police, it emerged that the suspected kidnappers include Ethiopian and South African nationals.
Panyaza Lesufi says Kubheka’s case could assist in resolving other similar cases.
“We want to reiterate that this matter is not closed. There are areas that we believe that if we follow this case, it will resolve many other cases that are either similar or of the same nature. I am quite excited that the law enforcement agencies have agreed that the matter is not closed, and they are also following up on leads. The good thing is that they are following leads. The good thing is we know who is behind this, and police are dealing with this matter,” Lesufi adds.
Premier and police address media on Mazwi Kubheka kidnapping
[ON AIR] There’s relief in Vosloorus (Ekurhuleni), as missing spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka has returned home safely after a month-long disappearance. How the family has navigated this month-long ordeal? Deli Mofokeng – cousin sister of Mazwi Kubheka on #TheNationalBriefing… pic.twitter.com/VzgNpUExWm
— SAfmRadio 📻 (@SAfmRadio) May 4, 2026
