SOUTH AFRICA – SABC Top Billing presenter, Simba Mhere has died in a tragic accident on the N3 North near the Marlboro offramp this morning.
The SABC tweeted that he died in an accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Mhere originally from Zimbabwe, joined the Top Billing team in 2010 after winning the presenter search.
Eight people died in the crash on the N3 North near the Marlboro offramp, ANN7 reported. Some victims have been airlifted from the scene.
SABC’s SAfm News reported that Mhere was killed in the early hours of the morning.
The Sunday Tribune also reported that Mhere was killed.
Owen of Owen S Management told The Citizen that the news of his passing came as such a shock. And also that they themselves did not know the full details.
“All we have heard is that he has been killed. We assume he was on his way to the airport, to attend the Met. ” We’re in shock we can’t believe it.”
Eye Witness News reported Simba was in the car with his father and a friend, his father survived but he and the friend did not.
According to his profile on the Top Billing website, Mhere was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Johannesburg as a baby. He attended Randpark High School and studied at the University of Johannesburg. He won the Top Billing Presenter Search in 2010.
On January 28th, 2015, Top Billing shared a video on their YouTube channel that followed Mhere’s journey with the popular lifestyle show.
In the video he and fellow presenter Jonathan Boyton Lee talk about their ‘bromance’ and some of Mhere’s best interviews with celebrities like Robin Williams and Cameron Diaz.
Mhere’s manager Lorraine Maisel says the 26-year-old was a kind soul, loved unconditionally by those closest to him.
“He was a motivated go-getter, highly intelligent, humble human being who was ready for success. He was a great big, huge teddy bear and never had a bad word to say about anybody and he is going to be sorely missed.”
The JMPD says a driver in a Polo passed over an island near the N1 offramp on William Nicol Road and collided with Mhere’s Mitsubishi. It confirmed that the driver will be charged with culpable homicide and reckless driving.
Meanwhile, organisers of this year’s J&B Met say some of their celebrity guests have already left the event following the news of Simba Mhere’s death.
He was on his way to the OR Tambo airport and he was expected to attend the annual horse racing event in Cape Town today.
The event’s publicist Eddy Cassar says news of his passing has dampened the festivities.
“It’s dampened sentiment here at the J&B Met, all his friends and people he worked with over the years. There are some Top Billing crew here that actually left as it’s not the time to celebrate. It really is terribly sad news.”
Top Billing Executive Producer Basetsana Kumalo says South Africa has lost one of its great talents with the death of presenter Simba Mhere.
“As a Top Billing family, we are very very devastated at the passing of Simba. He was an incredible human being, a gentle soul. He was fun-loving, he loved his work, a truly hard working individual and he was always just a delight and a pleasure to be with.” Times Live/Channel 24/The Citizen/Eye Witness News