Celeb roundup: Tupac murder case reaches verdict and Lebo M loses legal battle

Nomathamsanqa Sithathu

3 SEP 2026, 09:00

8 min read

Lebo M’s legal battle with comedian Jonasi Learnmore Mwanyenyeka over the famous "The Lion King" chant has ended with the musician ordered to pay the comedian around R640,000 in legal fees.

The dispute began after Mwanyenyeka jokingly gave his own interpretation of “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba” during a podcast appearance. Lebo M argued that the joke was defamatory and sued the comedian for $27 million.

Judge Josephine Staton ruled in Mwanyenyeka’s favour, with his lawyers arguing that the case raised free speech concerns. Lebo M was subsequently ordered to cover Mwanyenyeka’s attorney fees.

2. Duane 'Keffe D' Davis found guilty in Tupac Shakur murder case

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was killed in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting, the case has finally produced a conviction.

A Las Vegas jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of murder for his role in the 1996 killing. Prosecutors argued that while Davis was not the person who pulled the trigger, he organised the shooting and provided the gun used by his nephew, Orlando Anderson.

The case relied heavily on Davis’ own accounts of the night, including comments made in interviews and his 2019 memoir. Tupac’s family were in court for the verdict, with his sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur seen crying as the decision was read.

Davis, who faces a possible life sentence, has indicated that he plans to appeal. His sentencing is set for October 13.

3. Lionel Richie hospitalised after St. Louis concert

Richie has been hospitalised in St. Louis after performing at the Muny on Saturday.

The 77-year-old singer reportedly checked himself into the ICU as a precaution after the show, during which he asked his team to bring him a chair while performing his final song, “All Night Long”.

The hospitalisation comes after Richie cut short a June concert in Minnesota after becoming dizzy on stage. He later postponed two shows on doctors’ advice.

Richie is reportedly undergoing cardiac tests and is expected to fly home on September 2. He remains scheduled to continue his “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

4. Lamiez Holworthy reveals how a health scare nearly cost her life

The DJ has opened up about a frightening health scare that left her undergoing emergency surgery twice.

She revealed that an ovarian cyst burst while she was on her way to a gig on National Women’s Day. She had already been advised to undergo emergency surgery but postponed it because of her work commitments.

Doctors discovered additional cysts and diagnosed her with endometriosis. She later developed internal bleeding and required a blood transfusion.

Holworthy, who has since been discharged and is recovering at home, said the experience taught her a difficult lesson about putting work before her health. She also debunked the online speculation that her hospitalisation was caused by a cosmetic procedure.

5. Doja Cat opens up about cocaine and alcohol struggles

The “Paint The Town Red” hitmaker has spoken openly about her past struggles with alcohol and cocaine in a series of candid TikTok videos.

She shared that she had experienced problems with alcohol and revealed that she “struggled with cocaine” around eight years ago, adding that she is now well past that period.

The rapper also reflected on how drinking, undiagnosed mental health issues and using social media for validation affected her. Doja said she wanted to address the subject because she felt she needed to “get this sh** off of my chest”.

The Grammy winner also denied the online claims about her identity and self-image, saying she does not hate herself and is not racist or a white supremacist.

6. Kay Yarms announces she is expecting her first child

Beauty influencer and YouTuber Kay Yarms has announced that she is expecting her first child.

Born Khethokuhle Ngonyama, the KwaZulu-Natal native, who is now based in Cape Town, rose to fame through her make-up tutorials on Instagram and YouTube. She has worked with brands including Nivea and Comfort and was named to the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 class of 2023.

Yarms shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday, posting pictures of herself dressed in white while cradling her baby bump.

“And if you would’ve ever asked me who I truly wanted to be, this would’ve always been the answer,” she wrote in the caption. Friends and followers filled the comments with messages of congratulations.

7. Hugh Masekela’s son opens up about addiction and estrangement

Selema Masekela has opened up about his complicated relationship with his late father, legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela, including the years they spent apart while the musician battled addiction.

Speaking to One54Africa, Selema recalled reaching a point in his mid-20s where his father’s addiction had become so difficult to watch that he stopped engaging with him for about five years.

“Because what he was going through with his addiction was so bad that I was like, let me just have this man be dead so that when he dies, I’ve already got a head start,” he said.

The estrangement eventually ended after Selema’s uncle arranged for Hugh to be taken to London for rehabilitation. Selema said the experience forced his father to confront his addiction without being able to rely on the charisma that had helped him navigate difficult situations.

Hugh eventually overcame his addiction, although Selema admitted that he initially struggled to accept his father’s recovery after years of expecting another relapse. The pair later reunited in New York and chose to rebuild their relationship.

8. Kabelo Mabalane releases new music after 24 years of sobriety

The pastor and musician is marking 24 years of sobriety with the release of new music.

The former TKZee member, also known as Bouga Luv, has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and the journey that followed. His recovery, faith and decision to change his life have become important parts of the story he shares publicly.

The new release comes as he celebrates more than two decades of sobriety, giving the music added personal significance.

Mabalane rose to fame as part of TKZee before establishing a solo career. He has continued to use music to reflect different chapters of his life and has also documented his experiences in his autobiography, “I Ran For My Life”.

9. D4vd’s lawyers withdraw from murder case

The celebrity lawyers representing US singer D4vd have withdrawn from his upcoming murder case, with a public defender now taking over his defence.

The musician, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Her remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke’s address. Prosecutors allege that he killed the teenager after years of sexual abuse and dismembered her body.

A Los Angeles judge previously determined that Burke would stand trial. His lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, confirmed that the court had granted their request to withdraw and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to represent him.

Burke’s new defence team has said he is entitled to a defence that carefully examines the evidence. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October 19.

10. Miley Cyrus drops her surname as new music era begins

Cyrus has sparked speculation about a possible name change as she teases what appears to be a new era of music.

The Grammy winner has removed “Cyrus” from her Instagram username and bio, while her website has also been changed to mileyofficial.com.

She shared a red and black image on social media with the simple caption, “Miley”, adding to speculation that she could be moving towards a mononymous identity.

Fans have questioned whether the change is permanent or linked to an upcoming album or project. In another post, Cyrus shared a blurry red and black image alongside the caption, “ready and raring for this new era”.

For now, the name change remains unconfirmed, but it has already given fans plenty to speculate about as she prepares for what comes next.

nomathamsanqa.sithathu@nationalmg.co.za

THE NATIONAL

1. Lebo M ordered to pay R640,000 after suing comedian over "The Lion King" chant