Learn about Thando Sonqishe, the late husband of South African actress Buhle Samuels. Discover his age, alleged OR Tambo heist involvement, and tragic shooting death in 2026.

Thando Sonqishe was a South African businessman who became widely known as the husband of popular actress Buhle Samuels, best known for her role as Matshidiso on the SABC 2 drama series Muvhango . His life was marked by extreme wealth, high-profile legal troubles, and a tragic and violent death in May 2026 that shocked the South African entertainment industry.

Sonqishe remained a controversial and enigmatic figure throughout his life. While he presented himself as a successful entrepreneur in the construction and transport industries, his name was repeatedly linked to serious criminal allegations, including his involvement in one of South Africa’s largest airport heists. He consistently denied all charges, but his past continued to haunt him until his untimely death outside his luxury estate in Midrand.

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Quick Facts About Thando Sonqishe

Early Life and Background

Very little is publicly known about Thando Sonqishe’s early life or upbringing. He maintained a fiercely private existence long before his marriage to Buhle Samuels thrust him into the media spotlight. Unlike many public figures, he had no social media presence and rarely granted interviews.

What is known is that by 2010, Sonqishe was already on law enforcement’s radar. Court records reveal that he had previous convictions, including armed robbery and reckless and negligent driving, dating back to incidents in Sandton where he was arrested at the scene of a crime in a hijacked vehicle . These early run-ins with the law foreshadowed the more serious allegations that would later define his public persona.

The OR Tambo Airport Heist (2017)

Thando Sonqishe’s name first appeared in national headlines in March 2017 when he was arrested as a suspect in one of South Africa’s biggest heists. On 7 March 2017, a gang of armed men disguised in a marked police vehicle stole R24 million in foreign currency from an SA Airways aircraft that had just landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg .

Sonqishe, then 39 years old, was charged alongside six other suspects, including Prince Raphael Dube . He appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on 28 March 2017 for a formal bail application. The State opposed bail, citing the severity of the crime as a schedule six offence.

The Courtroom Revelations

Sonqishe’s bail hearing became a media sensation for the startling details that emerged about his lifestyle. Despite declaring a monthly income of only R30,000 from his construction vehicle supply business, he lived in a multi-million rand home in the upscale Blue Valley Golf Estate in Centurion .

He owned a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo valued at R600,000, a Toyota Hilux, and a Hyundai i20. He also possessed a house worth approximately R3 million . The stark contrast between his declared income and his lavish possessions raised immediate red flags with prosecutors.

Through his legal representative, Victory Nkwashe, Sonqishe denied any involvement in the heist. His affidavit stated: “There are no witness statements that say that I was present at the robbery. I am being falsely accused. The State has no case against me, I’ll be found not guilty” .

Hawks’ Evidence and Alleged Confession

However, the Hawks’ investigating officer presented damaging evidence in court. According to the police affidavit, cash positively linked to the heist was found in the home of Sonqishe’s girlfriend at the time . Furthermore, when police arrived at his estate to arrest him, Sonqishe allegedly jumped from a window onto the roof of a neighbour’s house in an attempt to flee.

Most damningly, the court heard that Sonqishe had allegedly admitted his involvement to arresting officers. He reportedly told police that he was asked to provide the blue lights used on the fake police vehicles during the heist, for which he was paid R1 million . The case against him was postponed, and the legal proceedings continued for years.

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Marriage to Buhle Samuels

For years, Thando Sonqishe managed to stay out of the headlines despite his legal troubles. His relationship with acclaimed actress Buhle Samuels was conducted entirely out of the public eye. The couple first made headlines in late March 2022 when photos of Samuels in traditional wedding attire surfaced online, sparking rumors that she had held her traditional wedding .

On 2 May 2022, Buhle Samuels and Thando Sonqishe exchanged vows in an extremely private white wedding ceremony. The event was attended only by close friends and family. In a notable departure from typical celebrity weddings, guests were asked to switch off their phones and cameras to maintain complete privacy. A few photographs eventually leaked onto social media, showing the couple as a stunning bride and groom .

Shortly after the wedding, Samuels acquired a brand new Porsche Carrera 4S worth approximately R3 million. While she did not explicitly state whether she purchased the car herself or received it as a gift, fans widely assumed it was a wedding present from her wealthy husband . The actress did not have children of her own at the time of her marriage, though Sonqishe had two children from a previous relationship.

Lifestyle and Wealth

Throughout his life, Thando Sonqishe cultivated an image of immense wealth. His home in the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate in Midrand was valued in the millions. His Lamborghini Gallardo was a frequent subject of speculation, with media reports suggesting it was purchased with proceeds from the OR Tambo heist—an allegation he vehemently denied, claiming he had owned the vehicle for three years prior to his arrest .

Despite his apparent riches, Sonqishe’s official financial declarations told a different story. In court, he maintained that he earned only R30,000 per month as a self-employed businessman supplying construction vehicles. He argued that if he remained in prison, his transport business would suffer and his family would be left destitute . The court eventually granted him bail, which he set at R10,000.

Death: The Midrand Shooting

On Thursday, 28 May 2026, Thando Sonqishe met a violent end. He was one of four people travelling in a Toyota bakkie when two suspects on a motorbike opened fire on the vehicle in broad daylight outside the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate in Midrand, Gauteng . More than ten bullets struck the vehicle, according to eNCA reports.

Sonqishe succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Also killed in the same attack was Oscar Nyathi, known professionally as Oscar Baxx from the popular DJ music duo Malumz on Decks . Two other passengers were wounded and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The motive for the shooting remained unclear at the time of his death. Witnesses described a sudden, precise attack that turned a quiet afternoon into chaos. The suspects fled on a motorbike, and investigations by South African authorities are ongoing .

Criminal History and Controversies

Prior to his death, Sonqishe had been under law enforcement scrutiny for an extended period. His name emerged during a wider investigation into armed robbery rings operating along major Gauteng routes . Those who knew him through entertainment circles expressed shock at the allegations, struggling to reconcile his public presence as the husband of a beloved actress with the serious criminal charges tied to his past.

In addition to the OR Tambo heist charges, previous court records showed a case of armed robbery from 2010 where Sonqishe was arrested at the scene of a crime in Sandton in a hijacked vehicle. That case reportedly stalled after the contact details of witnesses were altered on official court records, leading to a junior prosecutor withdrawing the case. Police indicated they planned to have that case reinstated.

Final Thoughts

Thando Sonqishe lived a life of stark contradictions—a man who declared modest earnings while owning a Lamborghini, a husband who sought privacy while marrying a public figure, and an accused man who maintained his innocence despite mounting evidence against him. His sudden and violent death outside his own estate has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the motive for the shooting and whether it was connected to his alleged criminal past.

For Buhle Samuels, the loss is deeply personal. The actress, who kept her marriage exceptionally private, now faces the aftermath of her husband’s death under the harsh glare of public scrutiny. As police investigations continue, the full story of Thando Sonqishe—the businessman, the husband, and the accused—may never be fully known.

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People Also Ask

Who is Thando Sonqishe?
Thando Sonqishe was a South African businessman and the husband of actress Buhle Samuels. He gained public attention following his arrest in connection with the 2017 OR Tambo International Airport heist and later for his marriage to the Muvhango star.

How did Thando Sonqishe die?
He was shot and killed on 28 May 2026 in a targeted attack outside the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate in Midrand, Gauteng. Two suspects on a motorbike opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in, striking him multiple times .

Was Thando Sonqishe involved in the OR Tambo heist?
He was arrested and charged in connection with the March 2017 heist at OR Tambo International Airport, where R24 million was stolen. He denied all charges and claimed he was being falsely accused. The case was ongoing at the time of his death .

Who was Thando Sonqishe married to?
He was married to South African actress Buhle Samuels, known for her role as Matshidiso on Muvhango. The couple held a private traditional wedding in March 2022 followed by a white wedding on 2 May 2022 .