• Popular TikTok personality Dubula Mbatha was killed after insulting a well-known taxi boss online.

• Mbatha was shot 16 times at a Johannesburg petrol station despite an earlier apology video.

A well-known maskandi music fan has been gunned down in Johannesburg after insulting a powerful taxi boss on social media.

Dubula Mbatha,32, was allegedly shot 16 times at a Sasol garage near Jules Hostel in Jeppestown on Sunday. He died in hospital from his wounds.

Months before the shooting, Mbatha had posted a TikTok video insulting Mavava Sikhakhane, a member of the influential Gcaba family and taxi owner in Durban.

Sikhakhane, who recently led talks for the Durban Long Distance Taxi Association during their strike, never responded to the insults. But people who know him worried about Mbatha’s safety.

Mbatha later posted another video apologising to Sikhakhane for calling him “a little boy” and referring to him as his “older brother”. The situation seemed to calm down after this.

Sources say Mbatha was visiting friends at Jules Street hostel when a gunman appeared suddenly at the petrol station and opened fire.

Dubula was rushed to the nearest hospital but this morning we heard that he succumbed to his gunshot wounds,” a source told Scrolla.Africa.

Another source said several people might be suspects as Mbatha was known for insulting people online, especially those who criticised maskandi artist Mthandeni “Gcokama elisha” Mdletshe.

SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the police have opened a case of murder and are on the lookout for the suspects after a 32-year-old man was shot and killed in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.

He said the motive behind the shooting is unknown at this moment.

He asks anyone with information that can help in the investigation or assist in the apprehension of the suspects to please call the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Pictured above: Dubula Mbatha.

Source: Facebook