The late Ukhozi FM presenter Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s husband, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, has dismissed rumours that his wife was bewitched to death on Ukhozi.
Zanele (52), who returned to Ukhozi FM in 2023 after a 23-year pause, died on Monday, 12 August, after losing a battle with lung cancer.
Although Zanele was diagnosed with lung cancer in May, rumours circulated that she was bewitched on Ukhozi FM.
These rumours prompted her husband, Bishop Nkambule, to clear the air and defend Ukhozi FM.
“Ukhozi didn’t bewitch her, and people from Ukhozi FM didn’t bewitch her. She was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“She died because God called her, and we all know that one day we will die. So, everyone knows this. There’s no witchcraft or something bad done by Ukhozi FM to her. All Ukhozi FM people have been good to her and very precious to her, and she spoke well about all of them. I just want to make that clear so that all of you know,” he said.
Zanele’s illness began in April when she failed to present her Sunday show, Eshilo.
She went back home and felt better. The following Sunday, she returned, but the illness recurred, and she struggled to finish her show.
Zanele Mbokazi
She was then rushed to the hospital, where she was later diagnosed with cancer.
When her illness started, she complained of tiredness and shortness of breath. These were the same symptoms that Bheka “Beekay” Mchunu experienced while in the Ukhozi FM studio.
Bheka died in March, and the cause of his death is still unknown.
Zanele will be laid to rest on Saturday, 17 August, at Mariannhill Cemetery after a funeral service at Durban ICC in KZN.