Maskandi artists Scebi Dlamini and Sipho Mchunu killed in car accident

The South African Maskandi music community is mourning the deaths of award-winning artist Scebi ‘Inkosi Yama Gcokama’ Dlamini and backing vocalist Sipho ‘Gumu Gupta’ Mchunu. The two musicians were killed in a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of Sunday, 9 August 2026, at an intersection in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. They were traveling with three other group members to perform at the Basadi Let’s Dance Festival when the collision occurred.

Funeral services for the musicians have been scheduled in the uMsinga region. Sipho Mchunu was laid to rest on Friday, 14 August, at his family homestead in Embangweni. A large-scale public service for Scebi Dlamini was held on Saturday, 15 August, at Mzisho Stadium to accommodate the thousands of fans and dignitaries expected to attend. Dlamini is scheduled to be buried at his family homestead in KwaDungamanzi.

KwaZulu-Natal Arts and Culture MEC Mntomuhle Khawula described Dlamini’s passing as a ‘huge loss’ to the province’s arts fraternity, noting his role as an early participant in provincial live show promotion programs.