DJ Tira, Dineo Ranaka, Young Stunna, others whose homes have been burgled
In recent years, a wave of burglaries and home invasions has shaken South Africa’s entertainment and creative industries.
Celebrities, often viewed as untouchable symbols of success, are increasingly being targeted by criminals, and the emotional and financial toll is undeniable.
These incidents have not only robbed them of valuables and work but also of their sense of safety.
Below are 10 high-profile figures who have had their homes violated by intruders:
1. Deep London
The Amapiano producer’s home studio was ransacked in April 2024. Equipment worth over R200,000 — including hard drives with unreleased music — was stolen. Deep London described the break-in as heartbreaking and offered a reward for information leading to the recovery of his property.
2. DJ Tira
Durban’s Afrotainment HQ, DJ Tira’s creative hub, was broken into by thieves who stole high-end equipment and music files. Tira responded by offering a R25,000 reward to retrieve his stolen property, but the loss of original material was deeply personal.
3. Busiswa
In 2021, Busiswa’s home studio was targeted, with thieves making off with laptops, monitors, and nearly a decade’s worth of unreleased music. The singer offered a R50,000 reward and later spoke about the devastation of losing her creative archive.
4. Young Stunna
The Adiwele hitmaker shared in July 2025 that his house had been broken into. Though he didn’t share what was stolen, he expressed disbelief and frustration on Instagram: “It’s 2025, too many job applications, and you decide to break into my house. Diabolical.”
5. Dr Esther Mahlangu
In a traumatic 2022 incident, the 87-year-old Ndebele artist was attacked and tied up in her Mpumalanga home. Cash and a licensed firearm were stolen, and the nation was outraged at the violation of a living cultural icon.
6. Dineo Ranaka
Ranaka suffered a terrifying ordeal when armed intruders broke into her Johannesburg home at around 3 a.m. She was tied up in her bedroom while her helper was also restrained nearby. Her children were just down the hall. “When this guy mounted me, understand the fear that is in my heart,” she said. Despite her calm demeanor, she pleaded with the robbers not to take her children’s tablets, saying she couldn’t afford to replace them. Her quick thinking helped defuse the situation, and she later warned others, “Never let anyone know that you live alone; lie if you have to.”
7. Nasty C
In 2017, Nasty C was held at gunpoint during a terrifying home invasion in Roodekrans, Johannesburg. Armed robbers tied him and four others up, fleeing with valuables worth nearly R800,000, including a Rolex watch. The rapper later described the experience as traumatising and a wake-up call.
8. Khaya Dlanga
While enjoying a yacht ride over New Year’s, Dlanga received a text from his building’s body corporate alerting him that his apartment had been burgled. The thieves made off with electronics, including a TV, PS5, laptop, phones, and even every cologne — except for a few Dior bottles he jokingly noted may have looked like cooking oil. “At least they were polite enough to leave my HDMI cables,” he quipped.
9. Kwesta
While performing at the SAFTAs, Kwesta’s Midrand home was broken into. Upon returning, he was informed by his security team that valuables worth approximately R22,000 were stolen. The rapper was shocked, especially since the break-in occurred while he was publicly visible at a major event.
10. TNS
The Durban-based producer and vocalist was also a victim of burglary while away from home. Although specific details remain limited, reports confirmed that valuable equipment and personal items were stolen, affecting his workflow and emotional well-being.
The increase in burglaries among South Africa’s creatives isn’t just about material loss, it’s about stolen memories, broken trust, and shattered peace of mind.
For artists, home is often not just a place to rest, but where inspiration is born and preserved.
These incidents reveal a troubling vulnerability, proving that even public figures with status and influence are not immune to the country’s rising crime.
The question remains: how do we better protect our artists?
