South Africans were left horrified on Sunday after reports surfaced that popular Amapiano duo, **Mapara A Jazz**, known for their viral hit *“John Vuli Gate,”* had allegedly been kidnapped in Ethiopia. The shocking revelation came from a distressing Facebook post shared on the group’s verified page, claiming they were being held hostage in Addis Ababa.
According to the post, the musicians wrote, *“We are kidnapped in Ethiopia – at Bole Medhanialem, Addis Ababa.”* The message included a live location pin in the Bole district — an area near the Ethiopian capital’s international airport — and a disturbing image showing one member with bloodstains and visible injuries. The post quickly spread across social media, sparking panic among fans and the music industry.
Within hours, screenshots of the message flooded Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok as supporters pleaded for intervention from South African authorities and Ethiopian police. However, the post was later deleted, deepening fears about the duo’s safety. “That post wasn’t a hack — you could see the fear,” one follower commented. Attempts to reach the group’s management or family members have been unsuccessful, with their phones going straight to voicemail.
The two members, Man Malaya and Jay Zee, reportedly departed South Africa on Friday, October 24, to perform at a local venue in Addis Ababa. Since the alarming post, no contact has been made. Ethiopian media outlets have yet to cover the incident, though fans online claim their last known location was indeed in the Bole district — an area known for its nightlife, luxury hotels, and foreign visitors.
Some social media users have questioned whether the Facebook account was hacked, but several South African promoters and artists close to Mapara A Jazz insist the message seemed authentic. A Pretoria-based event promoter revealed that the duo had spoken to him just hours before the incident. “They said they’d landed safely and were preparing for the gig. Then everything went silent after that post,” he explained.
https://x.com/TheTruthPanther/status/1982515576166596958?t=vZ9cRBdzK8WuuVsP5jYSqw&s=19
As panic spread, fans began tagging the **Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)** and the **South African Embassy in Addis Ababa**, urging authorities to act quickly. The hashtag **#PrayForMaparaAJazz** trended across social media platforms, with artists like Master KG and Makhadzi sharing the story and expressing their concern.
Confusion grew when an unverified account later claimed the duo were “safe,” though no proof accompanied the message, which was soon deleted. DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela confirmed that the department was aware of the circulating reports. “We are verifying the information through our embassy in Addis Ababa,” he said. “At this stage, we cannot confirm the kidnapping.”
Family members in South Africa say they last spoke to the duo on Friday night and have since been unable to reach them. “We are worried sick. They were happy and talking about their setlist. Now we don’t even know if they’re alive,” a relative shared.
While kidnappings involving foreigners are rare in Addis Ababa, there have been isolated cases linked to robberies or ransom demands. Ethiopian police have not issued any official statement regarding the matter.
As of Sunday evening, there were still no updates from authorities or the musicians’ representatives. Fans across South Africa continue to refresh their timelines anxiously, hoping for a positive update. Until then, the fate of Mapara A Jazz remains a mystery — and the nation holds its breath for their safe return.
About the Author
