The Rhythm City actor and singer, Dumi Masilela (29) is dead with the e.tv actor who died after a car hijacking incident in Tembisa on Wednesday night.
According to police spokesperson Kay Makhubele, Dumi Masilela and his friend were shot at while driving on Wednesday night.
Dumi Masilela in a white Golf 7 at 20:00 on Wednesday night was approached by a black Jeep -registration number unknown - that attempted to hijack them.
When they drove off, the hijackers shot towards them. Dumi Masilela was shot in the upper body; they drove off, the friend took over the driving, and took him to hospital.
According to Kay Makhubele, the friend rushed Dumi Masilela to hospital where he died on Thursday morning.
The police is investigating a case of attempted hijacking as well as murder.
The actor who got married in late May to Muvhango actress Simphiwe Ngema, played the role of the street kid Sifiso Ngema since his first appearance in the soap in January 2013.
Following Dumi Masilela's death, TVwithThinus learnt that Rhythm City production completely shut down on Thursday morning with no filming taking place, with the cast and crew in shock.
The
Quizzical Pictures produced soap just celebrated the weekday soap's 10th anniversary with a big party two weeks ago and has now been plunged into
mourning.
No
filming will be taking place for today or Friday, with production that will only
resume after the weekend.
e.tv
confirmed that “production [on the soap] has wrapped for today and tomorrow”.
The Rhythm City cast and crew will be offered and undergoing trauma counselling once production resumes.
The Rhythm City cast and crew will be offered and undergoing trauma counselling once production resumes.
Dumi Masilela's soccer career at SuperSport United got sidelined after a car accident and after three years of rehabilitation he entered the 8th season of M-Net's reality singing competition Idols in 2012 where he made it to the Top 18.
In a statement e.tv says "It is with great sadness that e.tv confirms the passing of Dumi Masilela. He passed in hijacking on Wednesday 2 August. Dumi played the role of Sifiso on Rhythm City for the past 5 years. e.tv sends their condolences to Dumi's family, friends and Rhythm City colleagues".
The minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa in a tweet said "we send our sincere condolences to Dumi Masilela's wife Simphiwe Ngema, his family, friends & colleagues. You are in our thoughts & prayers."
