'She died in her sleep' — Pearl Shongwe's family asks for privacy

Family of late TV and radio personality Pearl Shongwe has issued a brief statement confirming her death and asking for privacy as they process the tragic loss.

On its official website the SABC said business manager for Metro FM Kina Nhlengethwa said Pearl's family had confirmed the news.

Shongwe's family said the 35-year-old died in her sleep.

“It is with great sadness that the Shongwe family announces the untimely passing of our beloved daughter, Ntombifuthi Pearl Shongwe. She passed away in her sleep,” reads a statement from her family, who asked for privacy.

The cause of her death is yet to be made public, but it is believed she was found dead in her Polo Fields home.

“The SABC’s Metro FM news presenter Pearl Shongwe has passed away. It’s understood she died at her Polo Fields home north of Johannesburg,” read a tweet from SAfm.

In a brief statement shared with TshisaLIVE, Col Kweza said: “Midrand police have opened an inquest docket after a 35-year-old woman was found dead today. The inquest will assist in establishing the cause of death.”

Shongwe began her career in 2010 when she worked for youth radio station YFM as an entertainment reporter, alongside youth pioneer and DJ Mo Flava for more than two years.

The Miss Soweto 2011 finalist worked diligently to earn her place as one of the most recognised voices in the media space as a news reader at SABC stations and as a television talk show host.

She has been part of productions such as SportsLIVE, Morning Live on weekends alongside Simphiwe Ncongwane, Daily Thetha and season 6 of SABC1’s youth leadership show One Day Leader.

Industry friends and fans have flooded social media as they express their shock and hurt over the seasoned TV and radio presenter's death.

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