Once a celebrated television personality, Xolani Khumalo rose to national prominence as the charismatic frontman of 'Sizok’thola, a hard-hitting investigative show that spotlighted the scourge of drugs in South African communities.
His bold confrontations with suspected dealers made him both a hero to some and a lightning rod of controversy to others.
But Khumalo’s crusade against narcotics would soon become the backdrop to a real-life legal drama that threatens to overshadow his career.
Khumalo’s fall from grace began with an incident in July 2023 when a confrontation in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, ended in tragedy. Robert “Kicks” Varrie, a suspected drug dealer, died after an encounter with Khumalo and members of his television crew. Initially hailed as another takedown of the drug underworld, the situation quickly spiralled. Allegations surfaced that Varrie had been assaulted during the sting operation.
The community was divided — some demanded justice for Varrie, while others defended Khumalo’s methods as necessary in a society overrun by drug-related crime.
Police arrested Khumalo on charges of murder, robbery, and malicious property damage.
His name splashed across headlines, not for exposing drug rings but for being at the centre of a criminal investigation. Moja Love, the network behind Sizok’thola, distanced itself swiftly, terminating his contract.
The once-lauded host now found himself frequenting courtrooms instead of crime scenes. The Palm Ridge magistrate’s court became a familiar setting for Khumalo, who appeared multiple times over several months.
Yet his legal team, now helmed by the high-profile advocate Zola Majavu, maintained that Khumalo was performing a civic duty — not committing a crime. Public support swelled. Social media erupted with hashtags defending him, with many claiming he was being punished for taking action where authorities had failed.
Then, in April 2025, came a surprising twist: the National Prosecuting Authority provisionally withdrew the charges, citing the need for further investigation. Though not an acquittal, the withdrawal gave Khumalo a reprieve.
Outside the courthouse, he told cheering supporters, “I am not guilty, and the truth will prevail.”Yet, not everyone was celebrating.
The family of Robert Varrie expressed deep frustration, insisting that the case had been mishandled. “We just want justice,” one family member said, questioning why more individuals involved hadn’t been charged.
For them, Khumalo remained a man who needed to be held accountable.
This isn’t Khumalo’s first brush with controversy.
Before his rise on television, he’d been linked to community activism that some described as “vigilante-style.”
