BREAKING. Actor Sandy Mokwena known as Bra Eddie Khumalo in e.tv's soap Scandal! has died.

South African actor Sandy Mokwena (68) known for his role as Bra Eddie Khumalo in e.tv's weekday soap Scandal! died on Wednesday night.

The specific cause of death is not known yet although the free-to-air broadcaster e.tv says that the actor died from "natural causes". Scandal! is produced by Ochre Moving Pictures.

Sandy Mokwena had roles in several other South African TV series over the years, including the SABC's Generations, Soul City, Okavango, Khululeka, Going Up, Yizo Yizo, Justice for All and Zero Tolerance, and kykNET's (DStv 144) Plek van die Vleisvreters.

The actor who had a higher diploma in dramatic arts from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in the United Kingdom had a film resume that included appearances in Taxi to Soweto, The Principal, Dead End and Scarback.

e.tv in a statement says Sandy Mokwena "passed away last night in hospital from natural causes".

"e.tv is deeply saddened by the news and our condolences go out to Sandy’s family and the cast and crew of Scandal! Sandy Mokwena has been part of Scandal! since the first episode which aired in January 2005".

e.tv's prime time soap, Scandal!, notches a new highwater mark viewership of over 5 million viewers, as its most watched show continues its ratings growth.

e.tv's prime time weekday soap Scandal!, the red letter free-to-air broadcaster's highest rated show, notched a new highwater mark, pulling over 5 million viewers for the first time on 23 November.

With an audience rating (AR) of 14.4 that equates to 5 007 428 viewers older than 15 who tuned in, the Ochre Moving Pictures produced local soap hit a new top viewership record for the show, as well as for e.tv as the storylines continue to resonate with viewers.

Scandal!'s monthly ratings have been climbing every month throughout 2017 making it the most-watched show in the 19:30 timeslot across all channels since it moved timeslots on the schedule from its 20:00 berth.

e.tv says the channel is impressed and proud of Scandal!'s ratings performance with the show that will kick off its 13th year of production in January 2018 with three of the cast members having been ever-present: Joyce Skefu (who plays Maletsatsi Khumalo), Sandy Mokwena (as Eddie Khumalo) and Kagiso Modupe (as Mangi Nyathi).

"Scandal! has been one of the most watched shows on e.tv and we are thrilled with what they have accomplished," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv's general manager of local content.

"This milestone of over 5 million viewers adds to the many highlights the eFamily of channels has had this year and we are looking forward to many more in 2018."

"Rhythm City which leads into Scandal! at 19:00 also drew higher than usual viewers in November compared to previous Novembers with 3.1 million viewers; the highest number reached this year," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.