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Johannesburg – A day after his murder, actor Dumi Masilela's family say they will not hold on to anger.
"We won’t hold on to that resentment and frustration. We are going to find our happiness again, because that is what we need as a family," his brother, Mbongeni Masilela, told reporters at the family's Kempton Park home on Friday.
Masilela's mother and wife, Simphiwe, were in the house, grieving.
"My mother and Simphiwe are sad. We are holding hands and we are praying," Masilela said.
Dumi Masilela, 29, died in hospital after being shot during an attempted hijacking in Tembisa on Wednesday night. His aunt died shortly after receiving the news.
Also read: Rhythm City actor was trying to flee hijackers when he was shot - police
"It’s a tough time for the family. He was [a] role model to us. He was a man that we could look up to. He has been through so much in his life and for him to go through something like this is very sad."
Celebrities who worked with Masilela arrived at the home to pay their last respects. ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa and Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina also paid the family a visit.
"We have committed ourselves to work with law enforcement agencies to make sure that we bring these criminals to book,” Masina said.
"The important thing was to encourage the family. We came here to really pay our respects to the family. We are still shocked. We have no idea what happened."
Masina described Masilela as one-of-a kind and a multi-talented young man.
Kodwa called Masilela a diamond who inspired young people. He said police must shake trees and turn dustbins upside down to find the killers.
Masilela and a friend had been parked on the side of the road in a Golf 7 when a black Jeep approached them. Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said the 29-year-old and his passenger realised they were in danger and drove off.
The occupants of the Jeep gave chase and began shooting at the Golf. Masilela was hit in the upper body. He died in hospital.
He played the role of the street child Sifiso Ngema in the e.tv soap opera Rhythm City. He married actress Simphiwe Ngema in an intimate traditional wedding three months ago.
A car accident ended his previous career as a professional soccer player. He had played for SuperSport United and Highlands Park.
