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Joel Tsvakwi, Showbiz Correspondent
Gift Amuli and Allan Ndoda’s joint album launch at Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg ended tragically when a gunman opened fire into the crowd in the wee hours of Sunday morning, killing one reveller suspected to be from Plumtree and injuring others.

The event had been hosted by Underground Entertainment stable owned by a Zimbabwean, Polite Nkomo aka PKY July who is based in South Africa.

Titled Yikholokho/Ndizvozvo, the album launch was meant to revive the waning music career of Zvishavane Sounds gaffer Amuli.

According to the EWN Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said they had arrested a 33-year-old man who allegedly shot at revelers at the show.

EWN reports that the man face charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm.

The deceased has subsequently been identified as 26-year-old Allan Percy Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean national.

Reports are that at around 2:15AM on Sunday, a suspected Zimbabwean male fan appeared on stage stating that he could not find his mobile phone and was in need of it in order for the show to progress. Seeing that the crowd was ignoring him, he fired random shots at them, killing one male fan and injuring eight others.

“The suspect jumped onto the stage while a band was performing. He then grabbed a microphone and claimed that he would stop the band from performing if he didn’t get his stolen cellphone.

“When the audience tried to intervene, he fired shots randomly, injuring eight people,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini in a statement.

Health personnel were called and confirmed one dead on the spot with the injured being taken to Johannesburg Charlotte Maxele Hospital.

Gauteng police suspect that the injured are all Zimbabwean nationals.

PKY July and his Underground Entertainment had been hosting gigs which featured many Zimbabwean artistes including Alick Macheso, Martin Sibanda and Ndolwane Supersounds at the theatre for many years.

@joelTsvakwi