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4 weeks ago
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- Sphamandla Mabonga was killed in a shootout at Solo restaurant in Sandton after attempting to enter it armed.
- This led to a lethal exchange between his bodyguards and security personnel.
- Mabonga was allegedly involved in another violent incident at Tempo Luxury Restaurant in January 2024.
Prominent businessman Sphamandla Mabonga, who was previously linked to Real Housewives Durban star Londie London, was killed in a shootout at Solo in Sandton after attempting to enter the restaurant armed.
An argument ensued, which escalated into a lethal gunfight between Mabonga's bodyguards and the venue's security personnel, according to information News24 has obtained. Two of the bodyguards were later declared dead on the scene.
Mabonga, a community policing forum member, two patrons, and a security guard, were wounded and taken to hospital.
But Mabonga was declared dead on arrival.
Trying to enter by force
According to a police report News24 has seen, two Sandton Commercial Crime Unit officers went to the restaurant after they received a complaint that someone was trying to enter the restaurant "by force".
In the report, police allege that officers spoke to the restaurant manager, who pointed out Mabonga standing at the door.
Following a brief discussion between Mabonga and the officers, Mabonga complied with the request to disarm and handed over his firearm to one of his eight bodyguards, the police report further stated.
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The police officers who responded to the incident went to Mabonga's car to verify his firearm licence.
"A security guard from the restaurant came out, and Mabonga started to shout and swear at him. He was trying to run towards the security guard, and his bodyguards were trying to stop him. All of a sudden, there was a lot of gunfire," the police report read.
The officers took cover behind their car, according to the report.
Opening fire
"Once the gunfire stopped, [police officers] went to attend to the injured; we noticed four people had been shot and were lying on the ground.
"We went to secure the people who had been shot. We called for backup and for paramedics. One of the bodyguards came back with his hands up. We were shouting at him to get on the ground. He went to his car, which was parked at the entrance of the restaurant and, got something out of his car, and then entered the restaurant. There was more gunfire inside the restaurant," the report read.
Once the additional shooting stopped, the officers found Mabonga's bodyguard dead inside the restaurant.
"We went to attend to the other people who had been shot. Mabonga had been shot and was in a bad condition," the report read.
Mabonga was taken to Morningside Clinic, where he, too, was declared dead.
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The report revealed that two other people who were shot were "innocent patrons" of the restaurant and they were transported to hospital by ambulance.
"A CPF member who was on duty and came to assist at the scene was caught in the crossfire of the second shootout inside the restaurant. He was standing outside the restaurant and was shot in his leg and abdomen and was transported to hospital by ambulance."
Londie London
Contacted for comment, Real Housewives of Durban alum Londie London declined to speak.
She and Mabonga were romantically linked in July 2023 when they made their relationship red-carpet official by attending international boxing heavyweight Floyd Mayweather's banquet dinner in Sandton.
Before this, in May, London thanked Mabonga for one of two BMW vehicles purchased for her.
Later, in September, the mother of two set tongues wagging when she showcased the artillery she had bought for Mabonga, which included what appeared to be an R5 rifle, for his birthday.
However, by January last year, their romance appeared to fizzle out. She deleted their photos from social media accounts.
In an interview with News24 at the time, London said:
I am being very cautious because we cannot trust people. You might be cautious, but the other person might want to be out there and known.
"When it comes to the dating scene, I'm very scared right now, and I'm trying to keep to myself," she continued.
"I learned that there needs to be a bit of privacy when it comes to your personal life."
Previous incident
This isn't the first time Mabonga is alleged to have been involved in a shooting at a Sandton restaurant. In January last year, three people were wounded at Tempo Luxury Restaurant and Lounge.
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During the 2024 shooting, according to police, four people attempted to forcibly enter the establishment without undergoing a security search.
"They further allegedly assaulted the bouncer at the door and pointed [a firearm at him], causing the other bouncer to draw his firearm. That is when the random shooting started, leaving two people injured," Nevhuhulwi said at the time.
Nevhuhulwi confirmed to News24 on Friday that Mabonga had been arrested in connection with that shooting and charged with attempted murder.
