Controversial TV personality Xolani "X" Khumalo is back on our screens, this time with a brand-new show, "Operation Slyza Tsotsi", set to tackle the drug trade in South Africa.
The show, premiering on 7 September at 8.30pm on StarSat channel 120, promises to be a hard-hitting exposé of the devastating impact of drug abuse and the criminal networks that fuel it.
Khumalo's return to television comes after a tumultuous period that saw him axed from the popular Moja Love show "Sizok'thola" following a high-profile incident involving the death of suspected drug trafficker Robert Varrie during a filming session. Despite the controversy, Khumalo remains undeterred in his mission to fight the drug scourge.
"Operation Slyza Tsotsi" aims to go beyond simply exposing the drug trade. It will also offer support to addicts and empower them to rebuild their lives.
"The show will begin every episode by interviewing a drug addict to illustrate the lasting negative repercussions of drug abuse. X will also talk to the family members affected by the desperate acts addicts engage in to secure drug money," says Bokani Moyo, Khumalo's spokeswoman.
The show's unique approach involves working closely with community policing forums and police officers.
"X will be working alongside community policing forums and police officers, going after top dogs and apprehending associations one after the other. Arrested dealers will be handed over to the police for prosecution to keep them off the streets," Moyo explains.
The show's producers are also committed to providing a pathway to recovery for addicts.
"After apologies, X books the willing person into Tranquility Home Rehabilitation Clinic in Midrand. Upon completion, StarSat, the broadcaster of Operation Slyza Tsotsi, will provide free training to recovering addicts, empowering them to become dealers and satellite dish installers," Moyo reveals.
Those who complete the rehabilitation program will also have the opportunity to be hired as sales staff for StarSat, offering a chance for a fresh start. This unique approach to rehabilitation aims to break the cycle of addiction and provide former addicts with the skills and support they need to rebuild their lives.
Moyo believes the show will resonate with viewers across the spectrum.
"Those who live with the results of drug abuse in their communities will relate to Operation Slyza Tsotsi and appreciate the spotlight cast on this under-addressed social issue. Even the casual viewer will enjoy gazing upon the shaming and ridiculousness of the men and women selling drugs to our children," she says.
