Johannesburg – A night of revelry turned deadly at an upmarket Sandton nightclub as popular businessman Sphamandla Mabonga, former partner of reality star and singer Londie London, was killed in a shootout. The incident, which also claimed the lives of two bodyguards, has sent ripples of concern through Johannesburg’s social scene.
The shooting occurred on the evening of March 6, 2025, outside the renowned nightclub LIV, located at 24 Central in Sandton. Mabonga was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries, Gauteng police have confirmed.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the tragic incident, stating: “The police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder following a shooting incident that claimed the lives of three people and left four injured last night, March 6 2025 at a restaurant in Sandton.”
According to police reports, the altercation began when a man, later identified as Mabonga, attempted to enter the restaurant with a firearm, violating the establishment's no-firearm policy. This led to a confrontation between Mabonga’s bodyguards and the nightclub's security personnel.
"Two of the bodyguards were declared dead on the scene while five victims (the man, two patrons, a CPF (community police forum) member and a security guard), were taken to hospital with gunshot injuries and the man succumbed to his injuries at the hospital," Nevhuhulwi explained.
Preliminary investigations have revealed a troubling pattern of violence associated with Mabonga. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the man who started this, has previously been arrested for a shooting incident also in Sandton last year," Nevhuhulwi confirmed. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made at this time.
This is not the first time Mabonga has been involved in a shooting incident. In January 2024, he was arrested following a shooting at Tempo nightclub in Sandton. He was hospitalised after sustaining gunshot wounds to the ribs during a shootout that erupted following an argument with another patron.
Sunday World reported at the time that Mabonga was admitted to Mediclinic Morningside for treatment.
Further adding to his troubled past, in March 2024, Mabonga was detained by police on suspicion of initiating a fight with security guards at a nightclub in Sunninghill, another Johannesburg suburb. Reports indicated that he allegedly opened fire on security personnel after being denied entry to the club for carrying a firearm.
The incident at the Sunninghill nightclub prompted further scrutiny of Mabonga's activities. Following his arrest in January 2024, it emerged that Mabonga was already under investigation for several other alleged offences. These included the alleged assault of a female journalist at Konka, a popular nightclub in Pimville, Soweto, known for attracting a celebrity clientele.
Mabonga was also reportedly being investigated for allegedly using fraudulent means to acquire vehicles from a financial institution. These allegations paint a picture of a man deeply embroiled in controversy and potentially criminal activity.
The latest shooting at LIV nightclub has once again brought Mabonga’s past actions into sharp focus, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and the events leading up to the deadly confrontation.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
