By Celani Sikhakhane
- Lulama Ntshangase was found with his throat slit after spending Easter Sunday with friends in Nongoma.
- Police say he had a protection order against a neighbour he had a long-running conflict with.
A celebrated young ballet dancer was found brutally murdered just months after returning home from Europe.
Lulama Ntshangase, 26, was found in a pool of blood with his throat slit at kwaDenge in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday morning.
A friend, who spoke to Scrolla.Africa on condition of anonymity, said Ntshangase was enjoying Easter Sunday with friends. But the group was left in shock when they discovered his lifeless body the next day.
“What we know is that he had a protection order against an old man who is his neighbour. Their fight started when the man dug a canal to direct water to his home, but it ended up flooding Ntshangase’s yard,” the friend said.
Ntshangase blocked the canal and the feud got worse, leading him to get police protection.
The same friend said Ntshangase went back to the Nongoma Police Station over the weekend to report that the neighbour was breaking the terms of the protection order.
Ntshangase studied at Sivananda High School at kwaZiphethe tribal authority in Nongoma, then went on to earn a degree in performing arts from the Tshwane University of Technology.
He spent two years touring Europe as a ballet dancer before coming home a few months ago.
KwaZulu-Natal Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police are investigating.
“Police in Nongoma are investigating a case of murder following an incident in which a 26-year-old man was allegedly killed at kwaDenge in Nongoma on Monday morning. Police responded to reports of a murder and, upon arrival, found the victim lying in a pool of blood with a cut on his throat. He was certified dead at the scene.
“The victim was last seen on Sunday, 20 April 2025,” said Netshiunda.
No arrests have been made, and the motive is still unknown.
Pictured above: Celebrated Nongoma ballerina star Lulama Ntshangase was found murdered with a cut on his throat after returning from Europe.
Image source: Lulama Ntshangase Facebook.
