Xolani Khumalo returns to ‘Sizok’thola’ on Moja Love after charges dropped
Sizok’thola, South Africa’s hard-hitting anti-drug television series, is making a return for season 4 and with it, the reinstatement of its former host, Xolani Khumalo.
Khumalo’s comeback follows a significant legal development, the provisional withdrawal of all charges against him on April 14, 2025.
Khumalo’s previous tenure came to an abrupt end in 2023 after a deadly encounter during a sting operation in Katlehong resulted in the death of alleged drug dealer Robert “Kicks” Varrie. The incident saw Khumalo facing charges including murder, robbery, and malicious damage to property, effectively removing him from the program and sparking a nationwide debate over the ethics of reality-based crime shows.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s recent decision to drop the charges at least for now has opened the door for Khumalo’s return, though officials have confirmed that investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
Reaction to his reinstatement has been swift and polarized. Supporters hail Khumalo as a fearless crusader in South Africa’s war on drugs, while critics warn that the show’s often confrontational style could blur the line between justice and vigilantism.
Sizok’thola airs on Moja Love, DStv Channel 157.