ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has moved swiftly to reject the appointment of Xolani Khumalo as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, accusing Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza of acting without the party's consent.

The controversy erupted early Wednesday morning during a broader reshuffle of the City of Ekurhuleni's executive. Mayor Xhakaza announced a new multi-party configuration intended to stabilise the metro amid crumbling relations between the ANC and the EFF. However, the inclusion of Khumalo - ActionSA's designated mayoral candidate for the 2026 elections - has triggered a fresh political standoff.

A breach of protocol

In a strongly worded statement, Mashaba clarified that while ActionSA remains committed to the residents of Ekurhuleni, any deployment of its members to executive positions must be the result of formal, bilateral negotiations.

“ActionSA will not be a silent partner in a government where decisions are made for us, rather than with us,” Mashaba stated. “The Mayor's unilateral decision to name Mr Khumalo to his committee, without a signed coalition agreement or formal consultation with our leadership, is a violation of political etiquette and our party's internal processes.”

The “Sizok'thola” candidate

Xolani Khumalo, the high-profile former host of the drug-busting show Sizok'thola, was announced as ActionSA's mayoral candidate in late 2025. His political rise has been marked by both popularity and legal turbulence.

  • Legal Challenges: Khumalo is currently facing ongoing legal matters, including assault charges stemming from a 2025 anti-drug operation in Katlehong.
  • Recent Incident: Just last week, he was present during a fatal shooting in Windsor East during an anti-drug raid, an event the SAPS has distanced itself from.

Political analysts suggest the Mayor's move may have been an attempt to co-opt Khumalo's “tough-on-crime” brand to bolster the ANC's struggling image in the metro.

What will happen next?

The City of Ekurhuleni has scheduled a swearing-in ceremony for the new MMCs, but the status of the Community Services portfolio remains in limbo. ActionSA has indicated it will meet with its provincial and local structures to determine if a formal entry into the executive is viable, or if the party will remain in the opposition benches until the 2026 local government elections.