Fans and loved ones of South African actress Thandeka Mdeliswa have been left in mourning after the screen star was shot dead.
Popular South African actress, Thandeka Mdeliswa has ben been shot dead at her family home in Evander, Mpumalanga in South Africa as the actress, popularly known for her starring role as Khanya in the SABC 1 drama series Ikani, got shot after she waded into a heated argument her older brother has with two men at their family home. The argument got violent as one of the men grabbed his friend’s gun and shot the actress.
The two men immediately fled the scene as Mdeliswa was quickly airlifted to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria where she died on Saturday September 5.
Her family in a statement confirmed her death adding that: “Her condition was critical but stable. She passed on in the morning of September 6th. “The circumstances surrounding her death are still under investigation by SAPS.”
“The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter us left us deeply hurt. This is another incidence of violence against women,” the statement read in part.
The police in a statement confirmed that the owner of the gun has been identified, however no suspects arrested yet.The police have identified the owner of the gun as Hlathi and also appealed for information regarding the star’s tragic death.
“We are currently investigating the incident but have not arrested anyone. Yesterday, we brought the owner of the gun to book and we were advised to get the person who pulled the trigger,” the police said. The police urged anyone with information to approach the Evander Police Station or any police station around.
The family have reportedly described her death as yet another crime against women in the country.
A statement circulating on social media, reportedly issued by the family, said Mdeliswa was airlifted to eMalahleni and then transported to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, where she died on Saturday morning.
Mourners took to social media to share their condolences under the hashtag #RIPThandekaMdeliswa.
The 27-year-old Mdeliswa was most known for her role as Khanya in the SABC1 drama series iKani.
“She was a young, talented and inspirational actress which her family and community were looking to see flourish. We had a lot of expectations from her,” the family said in their statement.
“The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter has left us deeply hurt. This is another incident of violence against women which our country has to fight against.”
SABC conveyed its condolences to her family, adding it was even more disturbed by news reports that her death came as a result of gunshot wounds in an apparent gender-based violence incident.
“The South African television industry has indeed been robbed of a young, talented and promising life, violently and senselessly taken away from our society in its prime.”
The family has requested respect of privacy at a time like this.
Rest in Peace Thandeka.
