Dumisani Masilela (31 May 1988 – 3 August 2017), was a South African actor, musician and former soccer player.[1] As an actor, he is best known for the role in the television serial Rhythm City.[2]
Dumisani Masilela | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dumisani Masilela May 31, 1988 |
| Died | 3 August 2017 (aged 29) South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Musician, Soccer player |
| Years active | 2011–2017 |
| Spouse | Simphiwe Ngema (m. 2017) |
| Children | none |
Personal life
editMasilela was born on 31 May 1988 in South Africa.[1] His mother is Sabata Masilela.[3]
He dated for three and a half years to fellow actress Simphiwe Ngema. They finally married in June 2017, where the wedding finally lasted two months with his death.[4]
Career
editHe was a professional soccer player at SuperSport United for many years. However his career was sidelined after a car accident. After the accident, he underwent three years of rehabilitation before starting a music career.[1] In 2011, he started his music career and became a finalist during the eighth season of M-Net singing reality competition Idols. In 2012, he joined the cast of the popular eTV soap opera Rhythm City and played the role "Sifiso Ngema". His role became very popular, where he continued to play the role for five consecutive years until his death in 2017. In the meantime, he recorded a song "Ungasabi" for the show.[5] After his death, the filming of the soap was suspended for two days.[6][7]
On 22 August 2017, his wife released Masilela's last recorded song "UPhushiwe" on the Fresh Breakfast show on Metro FM.[8]
Death
editOn 2 August 2017, Masilela was shot in the stomach during a hijacking in Tembisa, where reports suggest he was sitting inside a Golf 7 with a friend, Bongani Nkosi.[4][9] After being shot once, he managed to drive himself to the hospital where the two switched places shortly after the shooting and Nkosi drove Masilela to hospital.[10] Then he underwent immediate surgery, but died as a result of severe injuries on the following day.[11] According to police investigations, the murder suspects had hijacked another vehicle on that day and had attempted to hijack Masilela when he was shot.[12][13] The memorial service was held on 9 August 2017.[14] The funeral service was held on 12 August 2017.[15]
In August, five men were found guilty of murder and were arrested. These five men were: Bongani John Masombuka, Sfundo Harrison Nkosi, Khumbuzo Solomon Mukhaba, Brian Makhubedu, and Mashudu Malema, while the fifth suspect died in a robbery. They were produced to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where Makhuba was found to have pulled the trigger on Masileia.[16][17] On 19 August 2017, Gauteng police arrested the sixth and final suspect of the murder. The suspect person appeared in the Benoni Magistrate Court and then joined with other suspects set for trial in the Pretoria High Court from October 8 to 19.[18] Finally they were sentenced to life imprisonment by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria after a lengthy trial in 2019.[12][19]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Dumi Masilela: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Rhythm City actor Dumisani Masilela's alleged murderer pleads innocence". NewsDay Zimbabwe. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Slain Rhythm City actor's mother asks court to mete out harshest punishment". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b Dayile, Qhama. "Simphiwe Ngema is letting go of her wedding ring". Drum. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Remembering 'Rhythm City' actor Dumi Masilela as killers await sentencing". The South African. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Modise, Kgomotso. "'Rhythm City' filming halted after Dumi Masilela's death". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Modise, Kgomotso. "'Rhythm City' cast distraught, shocked by Masilela's death". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Simphiwe Ngema releases Dumi Masilela's last recorded single". news24. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Rhythm City actor Dumisani Masilela's alleged murderer pleads innocence". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Rhythm City actor Dumisani Masilela's mother in tears after 5 killers sentenced to life behind bars". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Five men found guilty for murder of Rhythm City actor Dumisani Masilela". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b Mitchley, Alex. "Men convicted of killing actor Dumisani Masilela sentenced to life in prison". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Modise, Kgomotso. "'Rhythm City' actor Dumi Masilela killed in suspected hijacking". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Modise, Kgomotso. "Memorial service for slain actor Masilela set for Wednesday". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Motau, Koketšo. "Dumi Masilela to be laid to rest". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Dumisani Masilela murder: Killer says he has 'no remorse because I did not commit this crime'". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Dumisani Masilela murder: Two of the 5 men convicted maintain their innocence". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Singh, Kaveel. "Sixth suspect in Dumisani Masilela murder arrested". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Dumisani Masilela murder: Family can finally move on after justice is served four years later". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.