In a shocking incident stemming from a heated argument over the Song of the Year competition on SABC's Ukhozi FM, a man was brutally assaulted and his shack set on fire by his neighbour. The altercation allegedly erupted after the victim, Siyabonga Gumede from Dukuduku, expressed his admiration for award-winning maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose. Fortunately, the tears of Siyabonga Gumede were wiped away when Khuzani stepped in to offer support, donating R30,000 in cash to help him rebuild his home.
The conflict arose when Gumede referred to Khuzani as "inkunzi" (a beast), sparking the ire of his neighbour, a staunch supporter of maskandi artist Mthandeni "Igcokama Elisha" Manqele. The tension escalated after Khuzani's song titled "Umjolo Lowo" became the crossover hit on Ukhozi FM on December 31, surpassing Mthandeni's song titled "Paris," featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu, which came in second place. The rivalry between Mthandeni and Khuzani has been ongoing since 2014.
Gumede, filled with excitement over Khuzani's Song of the Year win, decided to share his joy with his neighbour, unaware of the latter's preference for Mthandeni. However, instead of celebrating together, the neighbour became furious and launched a vicious attack on Gumede, nearly taking his life. Fearing for his safety, Gumede had no choice but to flee.
In a heartwarming gesture, Khuzani visited Gumede's home, accompanied by award-winning gospel artist Jumbo, where he generously donated R20,000. Additionally, a colleague and friend in the music industry contributed R10,000. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Gumede expressed his surprise and explained the hardships he had faced since the incident. Losing his job due to the injuries sustained during the attack, he emphasized the profound impact the donations would have on his life, enabling him to renew his driver's license and rebuild his burnt-down shack.
Taking the opportunity, Khuzani pleaded with maskandi music enthusiasts to denounce violence. "I have to ask you to refrain from violence because the ongoing beef between me and Mthandeni is just a game. This is about a game to show who is more powerful than the other when it comes to music. We are not fighting. I hereby ask you to stop engaging in violence using our names," he said. Khuzani called for authorities to investigate the assault case, as he had already reported it to KwaMsane SAPS. Unfortunately, the neighbour responsible for the attack had fled the area, and no arrests have been made thus far.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace and understanding within the music community, and Khuzani's act of generosity stands as a beacon of solidarity and compassion in the face of adversity.
