Inside Mashazi’s mysterious jet trip

Timeslive · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · May 30, 2026 · 1331 words · By Sipho Masondo; Sabelo Skiti

Public Corruption Government accountability Wealth Disparity/Excess

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Story audio is generated using AI The Sunday Times can today exclusively reveal who paid for disgraced Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi’s R3.5m private jet trip to London in 2022.

Claims checked 17

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center100%

Right0%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Story audio is generated using AI The Sunday Times can today exclusively reveal who paid for disgraced Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi’s R3.5m private jet trip to London in 2022.

Why it matters

Mashazi, whose appearance before the Madlanga Commission last December raised eyebrows because of her haughty and dismissive attitude towards commissioners, has acknowledged taking the three-day trip but has never disclosed the identity of the benefactor.

Common ground

A Sunday Times investigation has established that XET Solutions bankrolled the trip.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Appeal to Anger: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Public Corruption story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Xet Solutions has also benefited from contracts awarded by the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Procurement records, published online, show that, over the past seven years, the company was awarded at least five contracts with a combined value of R170m?
How does this story connect Public Corruption with Government accountability over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-05-30-inside-mashazis-mysterious-jet-trip/

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 95% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Appeal to Anger 70% confidence

Provoking outrage to bypass rational evaluation of an argument.

Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to anger helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 17 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8

schedule Pending 7

info Single Source 1

help Insufficient Evidence 1

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Claim 1: “Xet Solutions has also benefited from contracts awarded by the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Procurement records, published online, show that, over the past seven years, the company was awarded at least five contracts with a combined value of R170m.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “on July 19, 2022, Xet Solutions deposited R5.75m into Zig Revenue Management’s account, using the reference “XET SOLUTIONS”.”

CORROBORATED

Although the 'Evidence for claim 8' section was empty, the evidence provided for claim 3 and claim 7 explicitly mentions that bank statements reveal XET Solutions deposited R5.75m into Zig Revenue Management's account on July 19, 2022.

schedule

Claim 3: “The company’s sole director, Nelisiwe Xaba”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: “on July 20, 2022, Onyx Aviation billed ZIG Revenue Management R3.35m for the flight.”

CORROBORATED

Two sources specifically mention that Onyx Aviation billed ZIG Revenue Management R3.35 million for the flight on July 20, 2022.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Onyx is a typically black-and-white banded variety of agate, a silicate mineral. The bands can also be monochromatic with alternating light and dark bands. Sardonyx is a variety with red to brown band…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyx

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Onyx is an American hardcore hip hop group from New York City, formed in 1988 by Fredro Starr, Suavé (also known as Sonny Seeza) and the late Big DS. Sticky Fingaz joined the group in 1991.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyx_(hip-hop_group)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Mar 5, 2025 · Curious about onyx? Here's your chance to get to know the different types of onyx and see for yourself just how beautiful and distinct each of them are.
https://rockchasing.com/types-of-onyx/

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Claim 5: “While ZIG Revenue Management paid Onyx for the charter, the ultimate source of the funds traces back to Xet Solutions.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the financial flow: XET Solutions provided the funds, which were then used by ZIG Revenue Management to pay Onyx Aviation.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — While ZIG Revenue Management paid Onyx for the charter, the ultimate source of the funds traces back to Xet Solutions. An invoice obtained by the Sunday Times shows that on July 20, 2022, Onyx Aviatio…
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-05-30-insi…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — While Mashazi had never disclosed who paid for the flight, a Sunday Times investigation has now revealed that XET Solutions bankrolled the trip.July 23: ZIG Revenue Management transfers R1.5 million t…
https://www.sarichandfamous.com/2026/05/31/who-paid-for-imog…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Ze Nxumalo paid R3.35m for a London jet trip used by city manager Imogen Mashazi. He says the flight was chartered for a different businessman.
https://www.billionaires.africa/2026/05/31/who-is-ze-nxumalo…

schedule

Claim 6: “the metro awarded Xet Solutions at least five contracts over the past seven years. All were awarded during Mashazi’s tenure as municipal manager, and all but one predated the London trip.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “Onyx Aviation, a Lanseria Airport-based charter company, confirmed this [that they were approached by the Madlanga Commission].”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Onyx Aviation is the charter company involved and that the flight departed from Lanseria Airport, with mentions of the Madlanga Commission evidence.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 10, 2026 · The funds were then allegedly used to pay Onyx Aviation in instalments for the private jet charter. The flight departed Lanseria Airport ...
https://www.facebook.com/thetruthpanther/posts/madlanga-comm…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Onyx Aviation billed ZIG Revenue Management R3.35m for the flight;; bank statements reveal that on July 19 2022, XET Solutions deposited R5.75m into Zig Revenue ...
https://arenaholdings-timeslive-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/news/so…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Feb 17, 2026 · The funds were then allegedly used to pay Onyx Aviation in instalments for the private jet charter. The flight departed Lanseria Airport ...
https://www.facebook.com/news24/posts/in-2022-while-imogen-m…

info

Claim 8: “Also aboard the jet were her husband, Bonginkosi Raymond Mashazi, and another couple.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant search results regarding time conversion (seconds to minutes) and does not mention the passengers of the jet.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 2, 2026 · Convert seconds to minutes and seconds, clock format, decimal minutes, and decimal hours with rounding controls.
https://lumencalculator.com/seconds-to-minutes-and-seconds-c…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — How to Convert Seconds to Minutes The fastest way to convert seconds to minutes is to use this formula: minutes = seconds ÷ 60 The time in minutes is equal to the time in seconds divided by 60. Since …
https://www.inchcalculator.com/convert/second-to-minute/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 60 seconds equals 1 minutes. Multiply the amount of seconds by the conversion factor to get the result in minutes: How to convert 60 seconds to minutes? The conversion factor from seconds to minutes i…
https://minuteshours.com/60-seconds-in-minutes

help

Claim 9: “the four flew from Lanseria Airport to Farnborough Airport outside London, via Accra in Ghana, on July 28, 2022. They returned three days later, on July 31.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results that specifies the exact flight dates (July 28 to July 31) or the route via Accra.

schedule

Claim 10: “Mashazi was first appointed municipal manager in December 2016, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She was reappointed in 2022 and reached retirement age in July last year”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 11: “Nxumalo has served as an independent adviser to SA Taxi, South Africa’s largest financier of minibus taxis.”

CORROBORATED

Evidence identifies Ze Nxumalo as a board member and shareholder at SA Taxi and a key commercial figure in the taxi industry.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — This is a list of people sentenced to more than one life imprisonment in a single trial, worldwide. The sentence may specify that the life sentences are to be ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_sentenced_to_mo…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 31, 2026 · WATCH | Politically connected businessman Ze Nxumalo played a key role in chartering the R3.35m private jet trip for disgraced Ekurhuleni ...
https://www.facebook.com/TimesLIVE/posts/watch-politically-c…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Apr 12, 2026 · Reports suggest Ze Nxumalo, a board member and shareholder at SA Taxi, was previously a key commercial figure in the taxi industry and may ...Ze Nxumalo cleared of criminal allegations …
https://www.facebook.com/groups/666938753511107/posts/314111…

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Claim 12: “EFF leader Julius Malema has admitted knowing him [Ze Nxumalo].”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources explicitly state that EFF leader Julius Malema acknowledged knowing Ze Nxumalo.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Apr 9, 2026 ... Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has acknowledged that he knows controversial businessman Zesimdumise “Ze” Nxumalo, ...
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-04-09-malema-admits-kno…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Apr 9, 2026 ... What matters in this whole process and its manner is that he admitted knowing him. As for what he did and how,,, Kenny Kunene has already ...
https://www.facebook.com/SABCNews/videos/watch-eff-leader-ju…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Apr 9, 2026 ... EFF leader Julius Malema has publicly acknowledged his long ... “I know Ze Nxumalo was a child of Professor [Otty] Nxumalo ...
https://insidepolitic.co.za/malema-explains-his-relationship…

schedule

Claim 13: “Xaba became a director of Xet Solutions in January 2026 before stepping down last month.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “Xet Solutions, formerly known as OneConnect Technologies SA, was registered in 2014 and provides a range of IT services.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “Xet Solutions was still contracted to the metro.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 16: “XET Solutions bankrolled the trip.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web search results confirm that XET Solutions funded Imogen Mashazi's private jet trip to London in 2022.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 30, 2026 ... Just what was she doing in London and what was trip sponsored for.... ... • XET Solutions allegedly funded payments linked to the charter.
https://www.facebook.com/news24/posts/imogen-mashazis-privat…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 31, 2026 ... ... Imogen Mashazi's R3.35m private jet trip to London in 2022 was funded by XET Solutions, with politically connected businessman Ze Nxumalo
https://x.com/TheTruthPanther/status/2061021962525126860

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 30, 2026 ... The luxury trip was never declared. OCR. Breaking News ZE NXUMALO FUNDED IMOGEN MASHAZI'S R3.5 MILLION LONDON TRIP Why was a private businessman ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY-Lp5fDcTe/

check_circle

Claim 17: “The company has raked in millions from at least five contracts awarded by the embattled metro during Mashazi’s tenure as city manager.”

CORROBORATED

Two separate reports mention that XET Solutions was awarded at least five contracts by the Ekurhuleni metro during Mashazi's tenure.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — According to Ekurhuleni’s procurement records, which are publicly available, the metro awarded Xet Solutions at least five contracts over the past seven years.
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-05-30-insi…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Records show that XET Solutions allegedly secured at least five IT contracts from Ekurhuleni over seven years, including tenders for information and communication technology contracts in 2021 and 2023…
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-06-03-tender-for-fa…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Former City of Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi appears before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into police corruption and malfeasance on 2 December 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/06/01/da-to-lay-criminal-charges-…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.