He was badlylted and his shack torched allegedly by his neighbour after an argument over Song of the Year competition on SABC’ s Ukhozi FM. On Wednesday, the tears of Siyabonga Gumede from Dukuduku outside Mtubatuba, in the far north of KwaZulu Natal, were wiped when award-winning maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose donated R30 000 in cash to help the man to rebuild his home.
It is alleged that the neighbour, who is a staunch supporter of maskandi artist ,Mthandeni “Igcokama Elisha” Manqele, moered Gumede after he said the Khuzani was “inkunzi” (a beast). It is said that Gumede was over the moon after Khuzani’s song titled Umjolo Lowo became the crossover song on Ukhozi FM on December 31. This angered the neighbour whose favourite artist came second with his song titled Paris, featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu. Mthandeni is big rival of award Khuzani and their beef has been ongoing since 2014.
Gumede said he was excited when Khuzani won Song of the Year and decided to go celebrate with his neighbour. “When I went to my neighbour to share my excitement, he became angry and I wasn’t even aware that he wanted Mthandeni to win the crossover song. I went there to celebrate with him not knowing that I was inviting bad thigs into my life. He attacked me like a mad man and nearly killed me, I had to run for my life,” he said.Khuzani visited Gumede at his home accompanied by award winning gospel artist Jumbo, where he donated R20 000 and his colleague and friend in the music industry donated R10 000. “I wasn’t expecting this from Khuzani and Jumbo. I lost my job after the incident. I recently got hired and they had to let me go because my arm and leg got injured when my neighbour tried to hack me with a bush knife. I don’t have words to thank them.
This money will help me renew my driver’s license and build my shack that was burnt down by my neighbour,” he said. Speaking to the locals, Khuzani pleaded with maskandi music lovers to stop the 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 further asked that the authorities look into the Gumede matter. He opened the case of assault with KwaMsane SAPS but no one has been arrested as the neighbour ran away.