Gauteng: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni say investigations into the kidnapping of Vosloorus spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka are ongoing, despite the victim being found alive after going missing for nearly a month. Kubheka, who disappeared on 2 April 2026 after leaving home to pay rent for his spaza shop, presented himself unharmed at a Vosloorus police station on Saturday night.
According to South African Government News Agency, law enforcement agencies have identified those behind the crime, but the case remains active. Lesufi emphasized, "We want to reiterate that this matter is not closed. There are areas that we believe if we follow up on this case, it will assist us to also resolve many other cases that are either similar or of the same nature."
Lesufi stated that sensitive information was deliberately withheld during the investigation to avoid compromising the case or alerting suspects, which led to public perception that little progress had been made. The investigation revealed that those involved in the kidnapping include both South Africans and foreign nationals, with two suspects of Ethiopian origin.
Authorities are still investigating whether the incident is linked to spaza shop-related crime or broader criminal activity. Lesufi reported that Kubheka was kidnapped while on his way to the bank and was held at a location believed to be a hijacked building. Mthombeni added that the victim indicated he was guarded by two Malawian nationals during his captivity.
Mthombeni provided a timeline of the investigation, which began as a missing persons inquiry on 3 April before escalating to a kidnapping case. Police followed multiple leads, including reviewing video footage, analysing bank activity, tracing suspects, and deploying crime intelligence resources through a Joint Operational Centre. Despite these efforts, no breakthrough was made until Kubheka's sudden appearance at the police station.
Kubheka was taken for medical assessment before providing a statement to investigators, leading police to follow up on new leads. Mthombeni noted that Kubheka could not fully account for events during his captivity as he had been blindfolded for most of the time. The commissioner and Premier expressed gratitude to the community for their assistance in the investigation.
Authorities have urged the public to allow police to complete their work, assuring that further updates will be provided as investigations continue.