Cape Town - Cape Town’s music fraternity is mourning the death of a producer killed in a brawl following an argument at a tavern in Khayelitsha.
Nhonho Lemena, 32, famously known as “Info” because of his vast musical knowledge, and his younger brother Thapelo, 28, were both shot dead on Saturday night.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation.
“The two brothers died on the scene due to the extent of their injuries. A murder case was opened for investigation,” Van Wyk said.
According to residents and witnesses, the brothers were involved in an argument inside the Rands tavern in the Khaya Bazaar shopping centre.
They were then followed by armed men while walking towards Nhonho’s car when gunshots were fired. The assailants tried to flee in the car, but gave up and ran off.
On Monday, people said Nhonho’s death left a void among artists in the townships. His friend Mncedisi Pheleu, known as DJ Makhekhe, said their last single, produced last week and titled ‘Kwaze Kwamnandi Ungekho’, meaning“It is nice that you are no longer here”, was like a premonition.
“I cannot even bear listening to it now,” he said. “What I can say is that the music industry in the province has lost. Nhonho produced many artists, from different genres ranging from kwaito, hip hop, jazz to gospel.
“He is well known by the artists from all walks of life. I am still thinking how we are going to finish his projects. I know many artists who have booked his studio.”
The mother of the brothers, Motshidisi Lemena, said Nhonho ate, slept and drank music. “He was always playing music in his locked room. I used to look for him everywhere, while all along he would be in his room playing music.”
She said his love of music grew stronger when he was still in high school and that he transformed his room into a recording studio in 2005.
“That was when artists started to flock to my yard. But they never bothered us because they just sat in his room, as if they were not here.”
She said she would never come to terms with the way her sons were killed. “I cannot explain the way I feel, to have both your children, still full of life and bright futures, be killed in cold blood.
“I never raised hooligans. I would have made peace with the way they died if we had enemies. Then I was going to take blame thinking they took those bullets for me.”
Police urged anyone with any information about the brothers’ killing to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
@siyaks
Cape Times