Vuyo Zungula – who is the president of the political party African Transformation Movement (ATM) – has written a letter to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, in a bid to get protection for the host and production team of the drug-busting show, Sizok’thola.

Xolani Khumalo and the Sizok’thola crew have been doing immense work to try and eradicate the distribution and selling of drugs in the country.

 

In his letter in Thursday, 12 July, Zungula pleaded with the ministers to provide protection for the Moja Love show’s production crew and host, as they have been receiving death threats.

“I am writing to draw your immediate attention to a matter of utmost urgency concerning the safety and security of the host [Xolani Khumalo] and crew members of the TV show Sizok’thola, a show primarily focused with exposing drug dealers in our communities.

“Xolani, because of his courageous work as host of Sizok’thola, has become the target of numerous threats to his life. In light of these circumstances, I implore you to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Xolani and the entire Sizok’thola production,” he said.

Zungula, who is also a member of Parliament, said that the host and crew should be provided with police protection when shooting episodes of Sizok’thola. He added that they needed round the clock surveillance any other necessary security measures to mitigate the risks they face.

Sunday World reported in May that Khumalo and the channel’s CEO, Aubrey Tau, have had to beef up security after receiving death threats from drug lords. The team was also attacked in June while shooting an episode at a nightclub in Rustenburg, North West.In his letter, Zungula further requested that those exposed on the show should be investigated and arrested.

“I request the justice department take proactive measures to engage law enforcement agencies nationwide and thoroughly investigate the cases presented by Sizok’thola. By doing so, you can help bridge the gap between exposure and conviction.

“It is disheartening to witness the hard work of the Sizok’thola team go unrewarded due to a lack of convictions. Without the appropriate legal consequences, the message conveyed by the show loses its potency and the drug dealers continue to operate with impunity,” Zungula said.