Alcohol bottles and drugs have allegedly been found in a hotel room alongside the body of controversial social media figure, Goolam Mohammed Suliman Vawda. 

His body was discovered in a hotel room in Sandton on January 27. 

Following his mysterious death, police confirmed that they opened an inquest docket ‘after a 50-year-old man was found dead in his hotel room in Sandton’.

Police said the cause of death is unknown and that investigations surrounding the death are underway. 

However, new revelations have come to light as police are now probing whether cocaine and alcohol played a part in Vawda’s death, after traces were reportedly found in the luxury Sandton apartment where his body was discovered.

This after sources close to the investigation claim that alcohol bottles and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the scene.

Hotel guests reportedly complained over the weekend about loud noises and odd behaviour coming from the room. More sounds were allegedly heard on Monday evening, but things went quiet after that. 

Asked to comment on the allegations, Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi insisted that the matter is still under investigation.

Vawda, is believed to be behind the controversial X (formerly Twitter) handle @goolamv – a social media account used to spread hate speech, cyberbullying, and defamatory statements targeting political figures and private citizens alike. He last posted on his account on January 18, 2026.

Vawda was found dead inside a luxury suite allegedly paid for by a communications company. 

The authorities are also probing his accommodation bill.

The sources suggested investigators are now following the financial trail as part of a broader probe. 

They further claimed that Vawda had been in active communication not only with figures in both the ANC and DA but also with senior government officials. 

Although police have not publicly disclosed details of those exchanges, insiders say Vawda’s mobile phone and encrypted messaging apps – including WhatsApp chats – are being scrutinised as part of the evidence.

Vawda’s death comes barely days after he was reportedly served with multiple court papers alleging fraud, cyberbullying, hate speech and defamatory conduct. 

Complaints had been lodged by politicians, media personalities and private citizens who claimed they were targeted by his posts on X, which critics said amounted to coordinated political disinformation campaigns. 

Those targeted include former minister Lindiwe Sisulu and a senior journalist, who laid criminal complaints against Vawda for cyberbullying, hate speech, and publishing defamatory statements against them.

Sisulu filed a criminal complaint against Vawda in July 2024. The case involves allegations of cyberbullying and defamation. She claimed that Vawda used social media to launch “unjustified and highly inflammatory” attacks based on false information to damage her reputation.

The sources alleged that multiple teams, including digital forensic investigators, are now involved in the investigation. 

Vawda also targeted various political figures with smear campaigns, including former President Jacob Zuma and his daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. Julius Malema and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. 

While he attacked these political figures, he was also accused of using his X account to drive support for the current administration, specifically President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

Many social media users viewed him as a “propaganda machine” or “sock puppet” who used sensitive government information to target and discredit journalists and politicians.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

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