The celebrated South African musical pair Mapara A Jazz, famed for their infectious hit “John Vuli Gate,” have returned to home soil following a harrowing alleged kidnapping in Ethiopia. The duo, comprised of Mano “Man Malaya” Nephawe and Leornard “Lenny” Malatji, had travelled to Addis Ababa for a scheduled performance, but their professional engagement swiftly turned into a nightmare.
The artists were reportedly held against their will, with Nephawe suffering a severe physical assault during the incident. The details remain murky, but the event has sent shockwaves through their fanbase and the South African music industry at large.
The pair had been booked to headline the Ade Music Fest at the Kana Warehouse. The trouble began after their performance, culminating in a desperate public plea for assistance. In the early hours of Sunday, 27th October, a post appeared on their official social media account that read:
“Can someone help us? We are kidnapped in Ethiopia.”
The message sparked immediate concern and a flurry of activity online. However, just hours later, a tremendous sense of relief followed when the duo posted a subsequent update, confirming their safe return to South Africa, though they offered no immediate explanation for their ordeal.
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Mapara A Jazz Duo Back In South Africa After Ethiopian Kidnapping Ordeal
The South African government confirmed that it became aware of the situation not through official channels but via viral social media posts. Clayson Monyela, the Head of Public Diplomacy for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), explained the sequence of events. He stated,
“The matter was not reported to DIRCO. We were made aware of it on posts on social media. Then we jumped to try and make contact with the embassy. When we reached out, there was no case of a kidnapping that had been reported.”
Monyela further clarified that since the artists are now safely on home turf, the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the South African Police Service (SAPS). He elaborated,
“A few hours later, we were informed that the gentleman had arrived home in South Africa safely. Because they are home safe, the matter now becomes a SAPS matter. Police and legal authorities will meet up with musicians to do an investigation and find out what happened and then open a case.”
This indicates that the full story of what transpired in Ethiopia is yet to be officially documented and investigated.
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Home Safe, But Questions Remain
Since their return, Mano and Lenny have remained out of the public eye, understandably recovering from what appears to have been a deeply traumatic experience. Their initial message of gratitude, however, resonated with their supporters. They shared,
“We’re finally home! We’re grateful to say that we are safely back home. We want to sincerely thank everyone who showed us love, concern, and support during this difficult time – from both Ethiopia and South Africa.”
While they are safe, the circumstances of their release and the identity of their captors remain a mystery, leaving authorities and the public awaiting a full account from the musicians themselves.
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The post Mapara A Jazz Duo Back In South Africa After Ethiopian Kidnapping Ordeal appeared first on iHarare News.
