By Chriselda Lewis
R&B sensation Tsakani "TK" Mhinga was found dead on Monday in a hotel in Bryanston, northern Johannesburg, police said.
Police spokesperson Captain Schalk Bornman said the 27-year-old had no marks on her body.
"She was discovered by a staff member at the hotel. There is no evidence of a struggle or forced entry," Bornman said.
It was understood that Kwaito star Mandoza was with Mhinga at the hotel on Sunday.
Mandoza's manager Vaughn Eton confirmed to Sapa that he was with her.
"I phoned Mandoza who told me was sitting at the hotel lounge with Mhinga. She was complaining about issues with her boyfriend. Clearly, that was bringing her down. But, she seemed to be fine," Eton said.
Sapa has learned that a note was found next to Mhinga's body. What was contained in the note was still unclear.
Among the awards won by Mhinga, who has a young son named Oratile, are three South African Music Awards for Best R&B Album for both her releases (2001 for TKO and 2002 for Eject Yo Ass).
She was also nominated for two MTN Metro FM 2000 Music Awards (Best R&B Artist and Best Female Artist) even before she had released an album.
That early fame earned her a star-turn with American singer Foxy Brown at a Gauteng R&B and hip-hop festival in 2002, and a slew of collaborations with several other artists.
Mhinga grew up in Soweto as the eldest child of Chief Shilungwa and Tebogo Mhinga of the baTsonga tribe.
TK's first studio foray was after matric when she recorded the first version of Secret Confession.
Singer Loyiso Bala praised "TK" for her music that had no racial boundaries.
"We always wanted to crack it in the American music industry. We knew that if we could not do it, she could," Bala said.
TK was the niece of veteran singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
"She was so talented. This is indeed a shock for the family. We don't know what happened. We are waiting for the police to tell us," Chaka Chaka said.
TK's record company Electromode said her death was a great loss to the music industry.
"The details of her death are not yet known to us. The police will give us results tomorrow afternoon.
"However, the family has asked to be left alone to mourn," Electromode general manager Eddie Jenner said. - Sapa