According to Sunday World, a statement was released by etv confirming that S’fiso Ngema’s exit played by Dumi Masilela will also incorporate the tragic hijacking that claimed the actor’s life.
“After extensive consultation with the Masilela family‚ the producers of Rhythm City have decided to incorporate Dumi Masilela’s tragic death into the exit storyline of his character‚” read a statement.
Masilela will appear for the last time on the soapie on October 11‚ which will be followed by a special on-screen memorial service in his honour on October 18.
According the publication, the actor’s mom Sabatha Magdeline and brother Thabani will also feature on the episode.
“The show’s producers decided to use Sifiso’s exit story as a way to pay tribute to Dumi’s work as an actor and to highlight the tragedy of unnecessary violence that plagues our cities‚” said producer Yula Quinn.
Meanwhile‚ three people have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the crime but have not yet been charged with the murder.
One of the suspects‚ Mfundo Nkosi handed himself over to police after his accomplice‚ Bongani Masombuka‚ was arrested for a separate crime. Both suspects are currently in court on charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances relating to separate incidents.
Nkosi has confessed that he was present when Masilela was shot but alleged that the third suspect‚ who police said had refused to be charged‚ was the triggerman.