A fatal shooting of a Nigerian national during an anti‑drug operation in the Windsor area has sparked controversy, with ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Cllr Xolani Khumalo at the centre of a political storm over the use of force.
ActionSA confirmed on 9 February 2026 that a Nigerian national suspected of drug trafficking was shot during the operation, in which Khumalo participated alongside other community safety activists. The party defended the action as part of efforts to confront entrenched criminal syndicates that have reportedly terrorised local communities.
In a media statement, Khumalo said ActionSA supports “every decisive and lawful measure to dismantle this scourge and confront the violent resistance of criminals who have grown comfortable believing they are untouchable.”
However, the fatal incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who accused ActionSA of politicising the tragedy. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo condemned what he called the “weaponisation of fear and anxiety through rhetoric”, arguing that the party is framing violence as a political tool. Tambo warned that equating crime‑fighting with dead suspects as a political campaign sets a dangerous precedent.
Tambo further criticised the apparent use of extra‑judicial force, saying: “The measure of a political party’s commitment to fight crime will now be how many dead bodies of criminals your Mayoral Candidate can show the electorate?” — a statement that has fuelled debate about public safety, policing, and political rhetoric in South African cities.
Supporters of Khumalo argue that his hands‑on involvement in anti‑drug operations demonstrates a proactive stance against crime that law enforcement alone has struggled to manage. They say such actions are necessary given rising crime and drug‑related violence in parts of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
Police have not yet released an official statement about the specific Windsor shooting, and details such as the identity of the Nigerian national and the circumstances of his death remain under investigation.