KwaThema residents in Ekurhuleni recently held a candlelight vigil and marched to their local police station to demand justice for the 2024 killing of Tshepo Mwelase. No suspects have been arrested, prompting the community to issue a seven-day ultimatum for a police response regarding the ongoing investigation.
The killing of Tshepo Mwelase
Tshepo Mwelase, 42, was shot and killed in June 2024 while walking in the street. According to community leaders, Mwelase had been the target of threats for months prior to the incident, largely due to his campaign to remove foreign-owned spaza shops from the area. Nhlanhla Mbatha, a community leader, stated that Mwelase had previously rejected offers of money, cars, and houses from those attempting to silence his activism.
Ekurhuleni district police spokesperson Captain Nelda Sekgobela confirmed that a murder case has been opened and that officers are currently searching for the perpetrators. The victim’s uncle, Joe Tahane, expressed the family’s frustration with the pace of the investigation, noting that they are waiting for concrete progress from authorities.
In February 2024, prior to the death of Tshepo Mwelase, KwaThema residents hired a crane to physically remove foreign-owned spaza shops from the community, an action that resulted in the subsequent killing of the crane driver and the destruction of the vehicle near the N17 highway.
The ongoing campaign against spaza shops
The march to the KwaThema Police Station served as a public vow that Mwelase’s death would not end the community’s opposition to foreign-owned spaza shops. Jerry Thabethe, a PAC member and community leader, stated that the campaign is driven by concerns regarding the sale of expired food items that allegedly cause illness in local children. Residents have maintained that they will continue their efforts to ensure these businesses do not operate in KwaThema.
The situation in KwaThema reflects a volatile intersection of community-led direct action and criminal violence. When local grievances regarding public health or service delivery remain unresolved, the vacuum is often filled by grassroots mobilizations that carry significant personal risk for leaders. The failure to secure arrests in both the murder of the crane driver and the assassination of Mwelase highlights a breakdown in community-police trust, which may lead to further escalations if residents continue to feel that their safety and concerns are not being prioritized by the state.
What happens next
The community has provided the KwaThema police with a seven-day window to address the memorandum delivered during the recent march. If the police fail to provide a satisfactory update on the investigation, it is possible that tensions in the area will increase. Given the history of direct action in the region—such as the hiring of a crane to remove businesses—the community may seek further methods to enforce their demands if they perceive a continued lack of progress from law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Tshepo Mwelase?
Tshepo Mwelase was a 42-year-old resident of KwaThema who campaigned against the presence of foreign-owned spaza shops, citing concerns over the sale of expired food.
Have any arrests been made in connection to his death?
No. According to reports, no suspects have been arrested to date, though Captain Nelda Sekgobela confirmed that a murder case is open and under investigation.
What is the community’s position on the spaza shops?
Residents have vowed that no foreign-owned spaza shop will ever operate in KwaThema, citing health concerns for children and the community at large.
How will the community respond if the police do not meet the seven-day deadline for a response regarding their memorandum?
