In yet another act of violence plaguing Gauteng's entertainment venues, prominent businessman Sphamandla Mabonga and his two bodyguards were killed in a deadly shooting at Solo Restaurant in Sandton on Thursday, March 6.
The incident erupted when Mabonga attempted to enter the venue despite its strict no-gun policy. A confrontation between his bodyguards and the restaurant's security staff quickly escalated into a shootout, leaving four others injured. Mabonga’s bodyguards died on the scene, while he succumbed to his injuries later in the hospital.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, confirmed Mabonga’s death.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, stated that the violence began when a man armed with a firearm tried to enter the restaurant, defying the policy, leading to the fatal exchange of gunfire.
"Two of the bodyguards were declared dead on scene while five victims (the man, two patrons, a CPF member and a security guard) were taken to the hospital with gunshot injuries."
"The man who allegedly wanted to enter the restaurant succumbed to his injuries at the hospital."
Police also confirmed that the victim was arrested for another shooting incident also in Sandton in January 2024. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the man who started this, has previously been arrested for a shooting incident also in Sandton last year,” Nevhuhulwi said
A case of murder and attempted murder are being investigated. The incident marks another chapter in what appears to be an escalating crisis of violence at Gauteng's entertainment venues. Just last month, a string of disturbing videos from Pretoria's Zanzou nightclub was released on social media, making headlines when patrons were sexually assaulted and stripped naked.
Police arrested a 41-year-old Congolese national, while seven other suspects remain at large. The videos sparked public outrage and led to increased calls for better security at entertainment venues.
These recent incidents bear a haunting similarity to the 2020 New Year's Day shooting at Poppy's jazz joint in Melville, where two women were killed in a drive-by shooting that injured six others.
Despite CCTV footage capturing the black BMW SUV slowly approaching the venue before opening fire on the crowd, the case remains unsolved.