Controversial gossip blogger and social media personality Musa Khawula is now officially a wanted man, with an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear in court in connection with a 2022 murder case.
Khawula, known for his explosive posts about South African celebrities and politicians, is accused of fatally stabbing Wandile Khambule in March 2022 outside the victim’s home. He has admitted to the stabbing but insists he acted in self-defence.
The latest twist in the case emerged in a letter from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Western Cape, dated 20 March 2026 and seen by News24, confirming that Khawula failed to appear in court on 28 January, prompting the issuing of a warrant of arrest.
According to the letter:
“On 11 February 2025, the accused’s bail was finally forfeited to the State. The accused is still at large and has not appeared in the aforementioned matter since,” the letter states.
The Office of the DPP has now instructed the South African Police Service (SAPS) acting commander of detectives in Vredenburg, north of Cape Town, to assist in tracing and arresting the blogger.
The DPP’s office stressed that while tracking down suspects does not technically fall within its mandate, it had stepped in due to concern over repeated delays in bringing the matter back to court.
The office said:
“For this reason, my office contacted the SAPS acting detective commander in Vredenburg, who confirmed that they are aware of the matter and that active efforts are under way to trace the accused and bring him before court.”
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the correspondence was legitimate.
“I have confirmed with the office that the letter is genuine and was a response to a member of the community who raised concerns about a case,” said Ntabazalila.
Police in the Western Cape referred queries to national SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. She indicated that she was still seeking updates from the investigators handling the matter.
The murder case dates back to March 2022, when Khawula allegedly stabbed Khambule following an argument at Khambule’s home. It is alleged that Khawula had gone to Khambule’s girlfriend’s house, where a dispute broke out between the men.
The pair were reportedly asked to take the argument outside.
Moments later, things turned violent. The girlfriend allegedly heard screams, with bystanders shouting at Khawula not to stab Khambule. The victim reportedly attempted to flee but was chased and stabbed.
Khawula has admitted to the stabbing but maintains he acted in self-defence.
The criminal matter eventually made its way to the Western Cape High Court, where it was set down for plea and trial on 30 May 2024. On that day, State witnesses were present and ready to proceed, but the case stalled again when Khawula’s defence team successfully applied to withdraw from the case.
The court then granted Khawula multiple opportunities to find new legal representation. Despite these chances, he later failed to appear in court, leading to his bail being forfeited and, ultimately, the warrant being issued.
The DPP’s office highlighted that it had become increasingly worried about the slow progress and the fact that the accused had not been brought back before the court.
The letter makes it clear that prosecutors have now leaned on SAPS to act more decisively to find him and ensure the murder case can finally move forward.
While the 2022 murder case is at the centre of the manhunt, it is not the only legal trouble hanging over Khawula’s head.
His name has also surfaced in recent testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where senior police officers were grilled over allegations of political interference and the handling of high-profile cases.
During those hearings, police witnesses claimed that pressure to arrest Khawula was linked to his social media posts about ANC figures. His often crude and aggressive commentary about politicians and public figures has made him a lightning rod for both support and criticism.
Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has denied allegations that he acted under political pressure or shared the arrest warrant improperly.
In that separate matter, Khawula faces charges of crimen injuria, violating Section 19 of the Cybercrimes Act, and hate speech.
The allegations in that case relate to comments he posted on his widely followed social media accounts between 10 and 12 October 2024. The posts, which targeted certain ANC figures, triggered complaints and eventually a criminal case.
That means Khawula is now facing two serious legal battles: the older murder case in which he claims self-defence, and the more recent case centred on his online conduct and alleged hate speech.
In the murder matter, the State’s version is that Khambule’s girlfriend heard screams and bystanders shouting at Khawula not to stab the victim, while Khambule tried to escape and was chased and stabbed. In the social media case, the State is expected to argue that his posts went beyond free speech and crossed into criminal territory under the Cybercrimes Act and hate speech provisions.
For now, however, the immediate priority for the NPA and SAPS is clear: finding him.
With the warrant of arrest in force, the police are under pressure to show progress. The DPP’s office has already nudged detectives in Vredenburg to move faster, and community members have begun asking pointed questions about why a high-profile accused has been able to remain “at large” for so long.
Attempts to get comment from Khawula were unsuccessful. His comment will be added once received.
Until he is traced and brought back before court, both the murder trial and the cybercrimes and hate speech case remain stalled – and the controversial blogger’s legal future hangs in the balance.
