Dlubheke Khuzwayo Shocks Fans With New EP Released From Prison
Top maskandi artist Dlubheke Khuzwayo has surprised music fans with the release of a new EP titled Sbali. The project dropped on Friday, 28 November, despite the star being behind bars on multiple murder charges. The 31 year old musician, born Bukelani Nxumalo from Nquthu in KZN, remains at the center of a complex and serious legal battle.
Dlubheke is currently detained on charges linked to a double murder and double attempted murder from a 2023 incident in KZN. While awaiting bail on those charges, he was hit with two more murder charges connected to killings reported in Gauteng in 2022 and 2024. These developments have reduced his chances of securing bail.
His arrest shocked fans because he had recently announced his return to music after a difficult period. Many of his followers expected a new chapter in his career. The sudden release of a prison era EP came as an unexpected twist.
His brother Falabo, a well known maskandi musician, confirmed that the music was completed long before Dlubheke’s legal challenges. He explained that the team had planned the release and had no choice but to proceed with older artwork. He noted that fans will hear new music, but the images on the cover reflect material prepared before his arrest.
Dlubheke appeared in the Nquthu Magistrates Court on Thursday, 27 November. The bail hearing on the KZN charges was postponed to Thursday, 4 December. Police records outline the severity of the case. Authorities state that on 12 November 2023 four men were traveling in a white vehicle from the Ntinini area in Babanango. The group allegedly engaged with the suspect before the shooting occurred. Two men fled. Two died at the scene.
Dlubheke has been a major figure in maskandi since his breakout in 2009. His distinct sound and rapid rise shaped him into one of the genre’s most prominent voices. The release of Sbali keeps his presence alive among fans despite his legal situation. The EP now stands as a rare moment in South African music, a full project reaching the public while the artist remains in custody.
