Moja Love personality and well-known X Repo host Xolani Maphanga is recovering in hospital after a frightening accident at his Johannesburg home left him battling for survival. The TV presenter, admired for his fearless work on the popular reality show, suffered a serious injury on Saturday that turned a routine morning into a life-threatening ordeal.
According to Maphanga, the incident happened while he was alone at home performing household tasks near his swimming pool. In a sudden slip, he fell into the water, injuring his left leg so severely that he was unable to swim to safety. With a broken leg and his mobility compromised, he found himself struggling to stay afloat.
“I was at home alone. I tried to swim but it was hard because my leg was broken,” Maphanga told TshisaLIVE from his hospital bed. “I’m grateful to my neighbour because if it wasn’t for him I’d be dead. I could’ve drowned. He rescued me.”
Maphanga managed to call out for help, prompting his neighbour to rush to the scene. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the neighbour immediately contacted emergency services while assisting him out of the pool. Paramedics arrived swiftly and transported the injured presenter to hospital, where he underwent surgery on Sunday to treat the severe fracture.
Doctors have since scheduled a second, more intensive operation to insert steel into his foot, stabilising the injury and supporting his long-term recovery. The operation is expected to take place on Thursday. Although optimistic, Maphanga acknowledges that the healing process remains uncertain.
“Maybe on Sunday they’ll discharge me to heal at home,” he said. “These things are 50/50 — there’s no 100%. Doctors are promising I’ll be OK after tomorrow’s surgery.”
The unexpected accident has forced an immediate pause in the production of X Repo, with the television host facing a lengthy recovery period. Medical experts estimate that he will require at least nine weeks before he is able to walk again, depending on how his body responds to treatment. This extended timeframe means viewers may not see him back on screens for a while, although fans and colleagues have already begun expressing their support and well-wishes.
The news has shocked viewers of Moja Love, who know Maphanga for his energetic presence and fearless confrontations on X Repo. The show, which focuses on repossessions and fraud investigations, has gained a strong following partly due to his commanding on-screen personality. His sudden hospitalisation has sparked widespread concern across social media, with many praising the neighbour who played a crucial role in saving his life.
Despite the traumatic experience, Maphanga remains hopeful and in good spirits. He expressed deep gratitude for the medical team treating him and for the neighbour whose quick actions prevented a tragedy. As he continues to recover, supporters across Mzansi are rallying behind him, wishing him strength and a full return to health.
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