The City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety MMC has rejected claims that Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers took part in the Sizok'Thola shooting in Linden.

Dr Mgcini Tshwaku said JMPD had no knowledge of the operation and only responded to a backup request from SAPS after community members protested.

The fatal incident happened on Sunday, 8 February 2026, during filming of the Moja Love show Sizok’Thola in Windsor East, Johannesburg.

ActionSA confirmed its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, was present. The party described the deceased as a Nigerian national suspected of drug trafficking.

City Rejects Reports Linking JMPD to Operation

Tshwaku’s spokesperson, Rhulani Mgwambane, called media reports “misleading”.

“The JMPD had no knowledge of the said operation and was not part of it,” the city stated.

JMPD only arrived after SAPS requested assistance when residents began revolting.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed preliminary findings: shots were fired by the production team’s security. The team later went to the Linden police station.

A murder case has been registered and investigations continue.

ActionSA Defends Anti-Drug Operation

ActionSA issued a strong defence of the raid.

“For too long, drug syndicates have terrorised our communities through violence, intimidation and total disregard for the law,” the party said.

Khumalo added that the operation forms part of the fight against entrenched criminal networks.

Community members, including Nigerian nationals, gathered at Linden Police Station on Monday demanding Khumalo’s arrest.

Police Probe Ongoing

SAPS has not confirmed the deceased’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

No arrests have been made in the murder case.

Khumalo currently faces separate assault charges linked to a previous Sizok’Thola incident and remains out on R2 000 bail.