Matwetwe lead actor Sibusiso Khwinana stabbed to death, police confirm

Police have confirmed the tragic news that actor Sibusiso Khwinana, 25, of the hit film Matwetwe was stabbed and killed on Friday night.

Police said the young actor was stabbed over a cellphone at the movie complex in Arcadia. Khwinana gained fame for his performance in a successful South African movie, Matwetwe. It is a coming of age adventure film featuring two township high school graduates, Lefa played by Khwinana and Papi played by  Tebasto Mashishi, trying to make money by selling “weed”. Lefa had plans to study at the University of the Witwatersrand.

The film was produced by comedian Kagiso Lediga and world-renowned DJ Black Coffee, and was shot in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. It has been a hit in South Africa, having amassed more than R4 million at the box office.

Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said arrests were yet to be made and cases of robbery and murder were being investigated.

“Police have opened a case of murder and robbery after a 25-year-old man was stabbed and killed in Pretoria on Friday, 01 March 2019 at approximately 11pm.”

“It is alleged that the deceased and his friend were at the corner Pretorius and Steve Biko Streets when the deceased was accosted by a suspect who demanded his cellphone. As they were wrestling for the cellphone, the deceased was allegedly stabbed with a sharp object on the upper body. He was certified dead on the scene,” said Masondo.

The movie has earned praise in the film industry for its humour and authenticity.

Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has extended his condolences for the loss.

“We are devastated to learn of the tragic & untimely passing of Celebrated Actor & the pride of Soshanguve Sibusiso Khwinana whose talent was demonstrated in his performance in the box-office hit #Matwetwe. He was also a founding member of the Independent Theatres Makers Movement,” he wrote on Twitter.

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