National police take over probe into missing Vosloorus spaza shop owner

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that the investigation into the missing spaza shop owner from Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni has been escalated to the national police.

This follows Friday’s protest, where hundreds of residents, political parties and civic groups went on the streets demanding answers from investigators in the case of a spaza shop owner who has been missing for almost a month now.

While the circumstances behind 27-year-old Mazwi Kubheka's disappearance have not been confirmed, community members speculated that he was allegedly in conflict with foreign shop owners over territory.

Addressing protesting community members at the police station on Friday, Premier Lesufi demanded answers from officers on the progress of the investigation.

Lesufi added that they are not certain whether there is a syndicate targeting South African shop owners, but they will investigate.

He was accompanied by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

The premier said that the case has been escalated to senior investigators who are working with crime intelligence officials.

“As a state, the minister, municipality and the province we are pulling our resources together we really believe we will crack this case we’ve asked the police to prioritise this case and we have asked the police to identify the gaps and areas where they need extra resources”

Community leader Xolani Khumalo also weighed in on the matter, lamenting the speed at which the case was being dealt with.

“We want the person investigating the case to tell us what the update is. " We also need to decide whether we close down these spaza shops or not.”

Progressive forces leader Mthetho Ncgucayitobi said that this is not new

“This incident is lot a first of its kind these are incidents that are constantly being done and the authorities haven’t really done anything.”

Meanwhile, the Gauteng government also issued a stern warning that all spaza shops which are operating without a permit will be closed.

The premier noted that the municipality will launch an operation to inspect the validity of shop owners' permits.

He said that they will be closing down those that do not have permits and those operated by illegal foreign nationals

“The municipality has passed a resolution that only people with operating permits can operate especially those operating on the streets. We cant have somebody who is not a South African operating on the basis of a resolution.”