Xolani Khumalo is a South African television presenter, activist, and founder of the Xolani Khumalo Foundation, best known for his controversial yet impactful work on the anti-crime show Sizok’thola.
His journey is marked by bold stances against drug trafficking, legal battles, public scrutiny, and a mission to bring change to South Africa’s communities plagued by crime. This biography delves into his early life, rise to fame, controversies, and what lies ahead.
Early Life & Background
- Xolani Khumalo was born in 1990 in Tembisa, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Growing up in a community deeply affected by drug abuse, Khumalo experienced firsthand the social decay caused by criminal networks.
- The challenges of his environment shaped his later mission: to confront drug lords and support vulnerable youth.
- Little is publicly known about his formal education; media sources do not consistently confirm his schooling or tertiary studies.
Career Beginnings & Rise
Khumalo first gained attention not as a media personality, but as a community activist drawn into crime-fighting efforts in local neighborhoods. In 2023, he became host of Sizok’thola on the Moja Love channel. The show’s name means “We will get them” in Zulu, emphasizing the mission to expose and confront drug dealers and addicts.
On Sizok’thola, Khumalo and his crew would enter areas suspected of drug activity, confront dealers, and work to assist recovering addicts. The show drew strong reactions — admiration from those who felt he was doing what authorities could not, and criticism from those who questioned his methods.
Khumalo’s bold on-camera confrontations won him both popularity and threats to his personal safety. He reportedly received death threats and had to maintain heightened security.
The Xolani Khumalo Foundation
Parallel to his TV presence, Khumalo established the Xolani Khumalo Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to crime prevention, research, and community safety programs.
The foundation’s mission is to support evidence-based interventions, mobilize communities to resist criminal influence, and partner with government and civil society to reduce addiction and crime.
The foundation has been cited in debates about conflict of interest, especially when its operations overlapped with his TV work.
Controversies & Legal Battles
In July 2023, during filming in Katlehong, a man named Robert “Kicks” Varrie, suspected of dealing drugs, was found dead shortly after an encounter with Khumalo’s team.
Khumalo was arrested and faced charges of murder, robbery, and malicious property damage. The public outcry was intense; some believed he was targeted for taking on powerful criminal networks.
In November 2023, Moja Love officially severed ties with Khumalo, citing the ongoing legal issues and questions about his foundation’s finances.
Many supporters protested the show’s cancellation, staging demonstrations outside the Moja Love studios demanding his reinstatement.
In April 2025, charges against Khumalo were provisionally withdrawn pending further investigation, and he was released from court.
Following the withdrawal, there were reports that Khumalo was preparing a return to Sizok’thola or similar crime-fighting programming.
Public Perception & Impact
Khumalo is a polarizing figure. His supporters view him as a courageous truth-teller filling voids left by ineffective law enforcement. His critics view him as reckless, potentially overstepping legal and ethical boundaries.
His programs prompted debate in media, among politicians, law enforcement, and civil society about the proper role of activism and media in crime fighting.
His foundation continues to be active in community projects, though its transparency and funding remain under scrutiny.
Even during legal turmoil, many South Africans applauded his willingness to expose corruption, as well as his emotional appeal to protect youth from drug addiction.
Current Status & What’s Next
- As of 2025, Khumalo is not convicted of any crime; the charges against him were provisionally withdrawn.
- He is reportedly considering or has already re-engaged with crime-fighting media initiatives.
- The spotlight on him remains intense: any new project or public move is met with both cautious optimism and scrutiny.
- The future of Sizok’thola or a successor show hinges in part on legal clarity and network willingness to partner with him again.
- Meanwhile, the Xolani Khumalo Foundation remains a pillar of his vision — if he can retain public trust and maintain organizational clarity, it could be his enduring legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Xolani Khumalo?
He is a South African TV presenter, activist, and founder of a nonprofit aimed at fighting crime and drug abuse.
What show made him famous?
Sizok’thola, a crime-expose reality show on Moja Love.
Was he arrested?
Yes — after the death of a man during filming in 2023, he was charged with murder and related counts.
What happened to those charges?
As of April 2025, the charges were provisionally withdrawn pending further investigation.
What is the Xolani Khumalo Foundation?
A nonprofit devoted to crime prevention, research, and community safety interventions.
Will he return to television?
Reports suggest he is preparing a comeback or a similar project, though nothing is fully confirmed.
Conclusion
Xolani Khumalo is undeniably one of South Africa’s most contentious and talked-about public figures in recent years. He rose from the challenges of township life to lead a bold campaign against drug syndicates through media, activism, and direct intervention. His journey is marked by equally bold acclaim and scrutiny.
While the legal battles he faced have not yet yielded a final judgment, the withdrawal of charges offers him a chance at redemption and reprisal. What matters now is whether he can rebuild trust, stay within ethical boundaries, and continue his mission in a sustainable and transparent way.
If he succeeds, his legacy might be less about one man confronting crime head-on, and more about inspiring communities and institutions to do better. Only time will tell whether Xolani Khumalo remains a polarizing figure, a cautionary tale, or a turning point in South Africa’s fight against drug-fueled crime.