Tensions remain high in the Vosloorus community as residents threaten to shut down spaza shops owned by foreign nationals following the disappearance of local shop owner Mazwi Kubheka.
Kubheka was allegedly abducted on April 2 after a dispute with foreign nationals over business operations. According to his family, the last time he was seen he was leaving home wearing a black hoodie and black jeans, reportedly heading to the bank.
Family members say individuals had approached Kubheka seeking to take over his business, but he was unwilling to give up the spaza shop, which was his primary source of income. Ongoing disputes over time reduced the size of his operation.
The community has demanded answers about Kubheka’s whereabouts and conducted searches in various areas. The family reports that they have been targeted by scammers who duped them into paying approximately 7,000 rand after falsely claiming to have Kubheka. He remains missing.
Premier and intelligence ministry authorities have since become involved in the case. Intelligence structures and state security have been deployed to assist with the investigation.
Speaking on the matter, the Premier stated: “We must enforce compliance. It is important that our people have business licenses. If you don’t have a trading license, you close. If you have a business license, you can operate.”
The Premier also emphasized that community members must not take the law into their own hands, saying: “If a life is lost, who is going to take what?” He noted that authorities would follow legal channels, with the metro police having capacity to enforce regulations, backed by national police if needed.
Community representatives have called for foreign nationals to have proper permits to trade, urging that South Africans should be prioritized for trading opportunities.
Police confirmed an active investigation is underway, though the family says little progress has been communicated to them. The community has stated they wish to remain peaceful and show respect for what has taken place while seeking to eliminate criminality in the spaza shop sector.
The Mayor added that education is needed around licensing, noting that some individuals obtain licenses and then transfer them to others, which undermines compliance efforts. Authorities have committed to working alongside the family as the investigation continues.