Mzansi has been left stunned by resurfaced claims about the massive settlement rapper Khuli Chana received from the South African Police Service following his 2013 shooting. In October that year, undercover officers at a Midrand filling station mistook the musician’s BMW for a suspect vehicle linked to a kidnapping. They fired around nine shots at him in a case of mistaken identity. Chana sustained injuries to his hand and back from bullet debris but survived the ordeal.
The incident drew widespread outrage over police conduct and accountability. SAPS later issued a public apology. Chana pursued a civil claim against the Minister of Police. In 2016, the matter was settled out of court in the Johannesburg High Court. Official reports placed the payout at R1.8 million, though his legal team had initially sought around R2 million or more.
Social media recently exploded after a post by troll ChrisExcel alleged that Chana’s side demanded R3 million per bullet, suggesting a total of R27 million for the nine shots fired. The claim, shared amid celebrations of Chana’s lavish wedding to Lamiez Holworthy, sparked heated debate. Some users joked that each bullet cost the state dearly, with comments like “it should’ve been more” and humorous takes on surviving for a payout in the current economy. Others praised Holworthy for standing by him throughout the trauma and recovery.
Known as the MotswakOriginator and famous for hits like Hape Le Hape, Chana rebuilt his career as a businessman after the event. The renewed discussion highlights ongoing public fascination with the case and questions around police settlements. While exact figures remain debated, the story continues to fuel conversation about justice and resilience in Mzansi.