The Kubheka family in Vosloorus is living through a nightmare, with the disappearance of 27-year-old Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka on 2 April 2026, a day that has replayed repeatedly in their minds as they search for answers. Mazwi, who ran a spaza shop in the area, left his sister’s home at around 06:40 to deposit rent money, but never returned.
According to his sister, Deli Mofokeng, Mazwi was wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and carrying his bag with his lunch and laptop when he left. The family’s alarm bells began ringing when Mofokeng found his shop closed at around 16:00, which was suspicious because Mazwi is very responsible.
Vosloorus Spaza Shop Dispute
The family alleges that Mazwi had been under pressure from a man known as ‘Zulu’ to sell his business to foreign nationals, something he firmly resisted. Mazwi had also told his girlfriend, Ayanda, about a white vehicle that had been parked outside his shop for long hours in the days leading up to his disappearance.
Mazwi’s girlfriend confirmed that she had last spoken to him the previous night, and from that moment, the family’s search began. Vendors near the shop confirmed that Mazwi never opened the shop that day. An unverified tip later suggested he may have been seen being taken away in a white Toyota Corolla with no registration plates.
Investigation and Political Attention
A missing person case was opened on 5 April, three days after Mazwi disappeared. However, the family says communication from police has been minimal, with the investigation being very slow. The family is not getting updates as expected, leaving them feeling abandoned.
Mazwi’s disappearance has drawn political attention, with ActionSA leading calls for urgent national intervention. ActionSA president, Herman Mashaba, handed over a memorandum to the Police Ministry, demanding immediate action. According to the South African Police Service, a thorough investigation is being conducted.
The following are some key points about Mazwi’s disappearance:
- Mazwi Kubheka, 27, disappeared on 2 April 2026
- He was last seen leaving his sister’s home at around 06:40
- His spaza shop in Vosloorus was found closed at around 16:00
- The family alleges that Mazwi was under pressure to sell his business to foreign nationals
- A missing person case was opened on 5 April
As the family continues to search for answers, they are calling for increased police visibility in Vosloorus and tighter coordination between law enforcement agencies.
