27-year-old actress shot dead in her own home, cops hunt gunman

Actress Thandeka Mdeliswa has died two days after being shot in her own home.

Cops are hunting for the gunman after the 27-year-old TV star was killed in what officers described as a “heinous” crime of gender violence.

South African star Mdeliswa was shot in the town of Evander in the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga last Thursday.

She was rushed to hospital but she sadly passed away on Saturday.

Her heartbroken family described her as “a young, talented and inspiring actress”.

They said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our dearest daughter.

“The brutality that was inflicted on our daughter hurts us deeply.

“This is another incident of violence against women (gender-based violence) that our country has to fight against.

“We believe that justice will be done.”

Police spokesman, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, said the actress was killed in a “heinous incident associated with gender-based violence”.

Ms Mdeliswa was shot after hearing an argument between her brother and two men.

The victim heard an argument between her brother and two unidentified men.

Police commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, said: “We cannot let such inexplicable acts go unpunished, so we appeal to the public to help us locate the killer.

“He stole from the family and [took from] the country a young life and talent.”

Police said they have identified the owner of the gun that was used but no further information has been released.

Social media has since exploded in reaction to the death.

One man took to Twitter, saying: “Women in SA are even scared of dating us now because we kill them instead of loving them and I don’t blame them. I’d be scared too.”

Another commented: “Sick trend. Sick, very sick.

“What makes me mad is that we scream stop gender-based violence today … then tomorrow we wake up to another number of women being brutally murdered. Nothing stopped that man from killing yet another woman. I’m empty inside.”

The family has asked for privacy and a chance to mourn but are said to announce funeral arrangements soon.

Mdeliswa landed her first television role in 2013 when she starred in an episode of the anthology drama series ‘eKasi: Our Stories’.

The actress was best known for her leading role as Khanya in the SABC iKani drama series.

The South African news source Citizen said she had since landed roles in various TV shows and films, including the highly popular series ‘Generations: Legacy’.

Source: thesun.co.uk