After her ex-husband Thando Sonqishe was brutally killed, Buhle Samuels finally came out, which caused a huge commotion on social media. After Sonqishe and well-known DJ Oscar Nyathi, popularly known as Oscar Baxx from Malumz On Decks, were shockingly assassinated, the former Muvhango star and media personality came under intense public scrutiny. On May 28, 2026, both males were shot and killed in broad daylight outside Blue Valley Golf Estates. Police are considering this to be a targeted attack.
The internet has been ablaze with hypotheses and conjecture while investigators continue to try to piece together what happened and why. Many people are questioning if justice will ever be served because the case has been compared to other unsolved killings that have afflicted the nation
But this is when things became messy. Samuels shared a series of spectacular holiday images from Rome on May 30, just two days after the tragedy, showcasing gorgeous Italian countryside, stylish attire, and a night out at the Comet Theatre. Many people on the internet took issue with the timing and swiftly criticised her for what they perceived to be “catching flights, not feelings” following such a terrible occurrence.
For background, Samuels and Sonqishe, who had been married for less than two years, had already divorced earlier this year. In 2023, they were married in an opulent traditional ceremony, but by 2024, when they began living apart, things had fallen apart. By the middle of 2025, the marriage had formally terminated. Since the actress has never said much about her personal life, information regarding their breakup has remained mostly confidential.
The public’s response has been inconsistent. Some expressed shock that she was sharing vacation photos so soon after her ex’s passing, while others made critical remarks about the risks associated with such lifestyles. A person on social media remarked, “One thing about being with a criminal, you must live knowing that you’re gonna be a widow or the wife of a prisoner sooner or later.”
Samuels’ first public move has kept her name trending and the public utterly captivated by every aspect of her life during this awful period while police continue their investigation into the unexplained deaths.
Do you think Buhle handled this issue appropriately, and how should celebrities respond to tragedies on social media?
