Shock as friend holds Mapaputsi’s body for R50k ransom

Kwaito artist Mapaputsi was trending on X on Monday night, September 9, after a ransom demand from his friend was reported.

Popular musician, real name Sandile Ngwenya, passed away on Thursday, September 5 at the age of 45.

MAPAPUTSI: FAMILY ACCUSATIONS

Short reports that Mapaputsi’s family revealed that a friend of the artist was holding his body for ransom.

It is believed that after his death, Mapaputsi’s friend informed his family that he would transport his body from the mortuary in Durban to Johannesburg free of charge.

The family later discovered that the friend had tried to extort money from them. He (the friend) allegedly told them to use a funeral home of his choosing. When the family refused, the friend allegedly threatened them and said that they would not receive Mapaputsi’s body.

Blog about celebrities, Maphepha Ndaba revealed on Tuesday, September 10, that the friend claimed he could not collect the body unless he paid R50,000 for the death certificate.

“Mapaputsi’s dangerous tsotsi friend demands R50,000 from his family or they won’t bury him,” the outlet reports.

The friend reportedly also asked for Mapaputsi’s mother’s bank details, without giving any reason for why he needed them.

Reportedly, police, an anti-corruption agency and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture had to intervene to secure Mapaputsi’s body and necessary documentation.