Vosloorus residents protested after a spaza shop owner went missing, urging authorities to act over foreign-owned shops.
A month after a spaza shop owner disappeared in Vosloorus, residents are still refusing to let the case fade away.
Scores gathered in the east of Johannesburg to protest after the disappearance of Mazwi Kubheka, who was last seen about a month ago. Local accounts suggest the incident may be connected to simmering turf disputes among spaza traders in the area.
Protesters say Kubheka may have been targeted after reportedly refusing to hand over his shop to people they believe were trying to take control of his business. His family has also described growing fear since he did not return home after going to the bank.
For residents, the uncertainty is not just personal. It also affects how people feel about safety and fairness in their neighbourhoods, especially when local business disputes turn tense.
Kubheka’s parents say they have been devastated since April 2, when he failed to come back from the bank where he had planned to deposit money.. His father believes Kubheka did not make it to the bank, and he links the disappearance to an alleged refusal to comply with demands from those said to be interested in taking over the shop.
Meanwhile, a community leader, Themba Mnisi, urged residents not to politicise the situation. He said people across different political affiliations have been rallying around the family, stressing that the focus should remain on finding Kubheka.
The family, according to residents, is still clinging to hope. They say the time has been especially difficult, but they appreciate help from neighbours and continue to pray for his safe return.
At the protest, some residents went further, calling on the government to shut down foreign-owned spaza shops in Vosloorus. They warned that if authorities do not act, they may take matters into their own hands.
This kind of pressure often rises when families feel unheard, but it can also quickly raise temperatures in communities. For Misryoum, the key question now is whether authorities can respond in a way that protects both residents and due process, while the search for Kubheka continues.