Former actor killed at pub while protecting women

JOZIFM station manager Mpho Mhlongo was a broken man yesterday morning after seeing his friend and colleague Mandla Hlatshwayo’s lifeless body outside a pub in Soweto on Sunday night.

Mhlongo was called to the scene at around 10pm on Sunday.

“I got there and found him motionless. He was just lying there,” he said.

Police have confirmed that two men were shot dead after trying to protect women in the tavern from being robbed.

Mhlongo said witnesses said Hlatshwayo had been trying to save the women.

“As the ladies were leaving‚ they were being robbed,” he said.

“Hlatshwayo apparently heard shots and ran out to help. In the process he got shot. He died trying to save someone else.”

It was not only seeing his friend’s body on the floor that really got to him‚ but the fact that the shooters then stole Hlatshwayo’s shoes.

“He had no shoes on. They took his shoes. They took his life and then his shoes. It’s all been very traumatic,” Mhlongo said.

The former Generations: The Legacy actor has become a well-known name in music circles after hosting the Weekend Special for over five years on JoziFM.

Mhlongo said he was with Hlatshwayo just hours before as JoziFM hosted an 8km and 4km walk through Soweto.

“Mandla was there. He was his usual jolly self. He was handing out medals to the finishers. Now he is dead. I can’t believe it.”

Hlatshwayo’s brother, Sipho, is grappling to come to terms with his brother’s killing.

Speaking outside their family home in Chiawelo in Soweto‚ Sipho struggled to fight back tears as he spoke about his brother.

“I am deeply hurt and did not see this coming. I am shocked because I just saw him on Friday‚” Sipho said.

The mood outside the family home was sombre, as a prayer service which was attended by friends‚ family and neighbours had just ended.

A group of neighbours outside the house described Hlatshwayo as a good‚ down-to-earth and all-round genuine guy.

He was always smiling and happy‚ they said.

Meanwhile‚ outside the Meli pub where Hlatshwayo was shot community members gathered to perform a cleansing ceremony.