Johannesburg, South Africa (BBC) — A wave of mourning swept through South Africa this morning as news broke of the supposed death of veteran actor Setlhabi Taunyane. The 69-year-old, beloved for his iconic role as Bra Kop Khuse in the long-running e.tv soapie Rhythm City, was reported to have passed away, leaving fans in disbelief.
But what started as a somber tribute quickly unraveled into a tale of misinformation, bizarre photos, and family relief. How did a simple rumor escalate into national heartbreak?
The alert came from entertainment reporter Musa Khawula, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @Musa_Khawula, with over 242,000 followers. Around 9 a.m. on September 12, 2025, he posted: “BREAKING: Legendary actor Setlhabi Taunyane has passed away.”
The message, shared without details on the cause, spread like wildfire. Tributes flooded social media, with users recalling Taunyane’s decades-long career, from stage work in Toronto during apartheid exile to his commanding presence on South African screens. “Rest in peace, Bra Kop. You made us laugh and cry,” one fan wrote, amassing thousands of likes.
Taunyane’s journey has been one of resilience. Born on April 27, 1956, in Johannesburg, he honed his craft in Canada for over a decade, performing in theatre amid South Africa’s turbulent 1980s. Returning home, he faced rejection and even homelessness before breaking into TV.
His role as the wise, street-smart Kop in Rhythm City from 2007 to 2021 cemented his status as a legend, earning him a SAFTA nomination and endless admiration. Married to a Zimbabwean woman – a detail often highlighted in profiles – Taunyane kept his personal life private, focusing on his craft. At 69, he was enjoying semi-retirement, occasionally guest-starring in shows like Isibaya.
The grief was palpable. Hashtags like #RIPSetlhabiTaunyane trended nationwide, with celebrities and ordinary South Africans sharing memories. “He was the father figure we all needed,” posted one user. But amid the sorrow, an odd twist emerged: photos of Taunyane receiving a Thai massage surfaced, shared by entertainment commentator Jabu Macdonald (@Jabu_Macdonald, with 92,000 followers).
The images, timestamped recently, showed the actor on a table, face down, with a masseuse working on his back alongside actor Vusi Thanda, known for Scandal!. Macdonald captioned: “What is this? Setlhabi Taunyane getting a Thai massage with Vusi Thanda? ”
The post, viewed over 50,000 times within hours, injected confusion into the mourning. Fans reacted with a mix of humor and suspicion. “Attempted murder? Bra Kop looks too relaxed for a dead man,” joked one commenter.
