The untimely death of Hip-Hop icon Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado has not yet sunk in for many South Africans who were left gob-smacked when Sunday World broke the news on Wednesday morning.
Julius Malema issues statement on Riky Rick death
According to the cited publication, the 34-year-old rapper and business magnate’s lifeless body was discovered at his Johannesburg North home, at approximately 08:30, on Wednesday morning.
At the time, he showed vital signs of life and his team rushed him to a nearby hospital for lifesaving treatment. However, unfortunately, it was too late by then.
Sources who spoke with the cited publication claimed a rope was found near Riky’s body, lending more credence to claims that he reportedly took his own life.
The rapper’s family had not released a statement at the time this article was published.
EFF leader and renowned admirer of Riky Rick, Julius Malema, is one the first political leaders to pay tribute to the fallen music icon.
In a tweet, Malema lamented on the shock of Riky’s passing, hinting at depression as the chief cause of the 34-year-old’s decision to take his own life.
“We love you my man; we did not listen to your loud whisper. We thought we still had time, and unfortunately, we are now too late to intervene,” he tweeted.
We love you my man; we did not listen to your loud whisper. We thought we still had time, and unfortunately, we are now too late to intervene. ๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/9Tj5otfYwv
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 23, 2022
At this time, Riky’s family has yet to issue an official statement with information on his memorial service and burial.
Riky Rick is survived by his wife, Bianca Naidoo and his two children, Jordan and Maik Makhado.
Here are more tributes that have been pouring in since the news broke out on social media:
Not Riky Rick, it just can't be… Just after he liked my Instagram story (on Monday) and I was thinking he recognises my work๐ฅ๐๐๏ธ
— #Whatitis-OUTNOW๐ฅโค๐ค๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ (@sagedakiid) February 23, 2022
We are a sad generation, happy on Social Media. R.I.P Riky Rick – Boss Zonke ๐๐๐๏ธ
— ๐ฟ๐ผRichard Clive Banda (@BandaRichie) February 23, 2022
Riky Rick? No man. Canโt be!๐๐ pic.twitter.com/gpuuQ9hmSH
— The Meme Doctor๐ฟ๐ผ (@simba_matigimZW) February 23, 2022
I donโt believe yall, letโs wait and hear from family. Riky Rick is alive.
— ๐ข๐ณ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ (@unclescrooch) February 23, 2022