Mercutio Buthelezi, former fiancé of celebrated actor Khaya Dladla, is currently in a critical health battle. The 38-year-old has been fighting an undiagnosed form of cancer since February, and his family is now turning to their faith for hope and strength during this challenging time.
Mercutio has been in and out of Durban hospitals for several months, showing no signs of improvement. According to his family, he was scheduled for surgery at a private hospital on Wednesday, 4 June, in an attempt to identify the specific type of cancer he is suffering from. Doctors have been uncertain whether it is blood cancer or a form of bone marrow cancer.
Nomsa Buthelezi, Mercutio’s aunt, shared the family’s heartbreak. “We’re placing all our hopes in God. We are devastated. He’s very sick, and doctors haven’t yet determined the exact type of cancer. This operation might finally give us answers,” she said.
Nomsa also revealed that Mercutio had kept his illness hidden from her initially to protect her, as she is diabetic. “When I found out, I was heartbroken. We pray for him daily. He is still young and has so much to live for. When we visit or call him, he cries. It breaks our hearts, but we remain strong for him,” she added.
The family is clinging to stories of cancer survivors, using them as a source of hope. Nomsa shared that one of their cousins also survived cancer and lived for 13 more years, inspiring them to believe Mercutio can recover too.
Mercutio was once engaged to Khaya Dladla, well known for his role as Lazarus on e.tv’s drama series House of Zwide. Their engagement made headlines in October 2020 when Khaya surprised Mercutio with a proposal in front of family and friends at the Ocean Reef Hotel in Zinkwazi, just north of Durban. Unfortunately, the couple parted ways in 2022.
Before his illness, Mercutio was very active on social media, frequently posting photos from outings and special moments. His last post was in January, after which he seemingly disappeared from the public eye. His openness about his relationship with Khaya had garnered admiration from many fans.
Attempts to get a comment from Khaya Dladla were unsuccessful. Daily Sun reported that calls to him went unanswered, and messages were left on read.
As Mercutio continues his battle, his family is asking the public for prayers and support. His condition remains serious, and the road to recovery is uncertain. Still, the family holds on to faith, love, and the hope that Mercutio will overcome this difficult chapter in his life.