Vibe FM presenter and music compiler Sanele Xulu is appealing for help after becoming the victim of a daylight robbery that left him without his cellphone, driver’s licence and seven original certificates that he says are vital to his career.
The 28-year-old radio personality was allegedly robbed in Mount Royal, north of Durban, on Thursday, 3 September, after being approached by a man who asked him for assistance.
According to Xulu, he was trying to help the man when he realised he had been tricked. The suspects allegedly fled in a white Renault Kwid.
A devastating loss
Among the documents stolen are Xulu’s matric certificate, forklift certificate, computer certificate, radio DJ certificate, radio production certificate and broadcasting engineering certificate, as well as his driver’s licence.
The theft came at a particularly difficult time for the presenter, who had been preparing to pursue new employment opportunities.
Xulu had recently updated his CV at KwaMashu Library and had gone to KwaMashu Police Station to certify copies of his qualifications.
He said the original documents were important because he had spent considerable money obtaining them.
“Without these documents, my life can’t be normal. I spent a lot of money getting these certificates and can’t lose them just like that,” Xulu said.
‘These documents won’t help the thieves’
Xulu has made an emotional appeal to those who took his belongings, asking them to return the certificates because they have little value to anyone else.
“These documents won’t help the thieves because they’re my personal certificates. I’m begging them to drop them in a safe place,” he said.
The presenter is particularly concerned about the impact the loss could have on his efforts to secure new opportunities in the radio and broadcasting industry.
While the cellphone can be replaced, the original qualifications represent years of work and financial investment.
Police confirm theft case
KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed that a theft case was opened at Phoenix Police Station on 4 September.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza said the incident involved a 28-year-old man who was walking along Nomaswazi Road in Mount Royal when he was approached by a male who asked him to fetch a key from a nearby tuckshop.
According to police, Xulu left his cellphone with the suspect while he went to the tuckshop. When he returned, the suspect had disappeared with the phone.
The police investigation is continuing.
A radio journey interrupted
Xulu joined KwaMashu-based Vibe FM in 2021 and has built his career as a presenter and music compiler.
The robbery comes as he was actively looking towards the next stage of his professional journey.
For now, his plea is simple: he wants his qualifications returned.
The presenter has appealed to anyone who comes across the documents to ensure they are returned safely rather than discarded.
For Xulu, the stolen certificates are more than pieces of paper – they represent his education, skills, experience and years of investment in building a future in broadcasting.
The incident also serves as another reminder of how quickly an ordinary day can turn into a traumatic encounter with crime.
