Manaka Ranaka/Dineo Nchabeleng/Mmabatho Montsho
As we spilt in our interview with Tichina Arnold (
right here), Lockdown returns for Season 3 this July.
It premieres on Mzansi Magic on Monday, 9 July at 20h00 and introduces six new characters, some behind bars and others in front of them.
Tichina's character Pauletta Scott is firmly behind them - she's in Lockdown because of a business deal Gone Bad.
These are the other newcomers:
Azania (also known as Pinky), played by Dineo Nchabeleng
Azania is a student activist who comes to Thabazimbi along with two fellow activists for arson and malicious damage to national property.
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Phindi Mazibuko, played by Mmabatho Montsho
Phindiwe is a naïve and idealistic criminal psychologist who believes that all evil people can be redeemed. She is the apple of her mother’s eye.
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Minister Mazibuko, played by Thembi Nyandeni
Minister Mazibuko is the Minister of Correctional Services. She's been assigned to Thabazimbi to get things under control. Mazibuko is hard-core, and only softens up towards her daughter, Phindi, for whom she will do anything.
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Mamba, played by Khulu Skenjana
Mamba is a career criminal, jailed for armed robbery and murder. He has charisma and enigma that is both attractive and fearsome.
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And our personal favourite...
Grace aka Zim Zim, played by Manaka Ranaka
A serial killer, who has a fascination with body parts and operating on people.
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Who's back?
As for returning characters... here's what to expect from them when the season opens:
Last season came to a dramatic end with an injured Monde (Zola Nombona) making a run for it with the stolen diamonds, as Maki (Linda Sebezo) and her nemesis, Deborah (Pamela Nomvete) came face to face in an explosive showdown.
Fast forward a couple of months later, Season 3 opens with a jaw dropping cliff-hanger as Beauty’s life is hanging in the balance with her son Njabulo (Mthunzi Ntoyi) spiralling out of control with guilt behind bars.
Monde wakes up in an inyanga’s house who turns out to be her good Samaritan. Determined to start afresh, Monde decides to contact Simon (Thabo Rametsi) as she believes he’s her ticket to a new beginning. Will the unlucky couple finally get their happily-ever-after?
Meanwhile, Deborah has to deal with a potential suspension after Monde’s escape, while nursing a gruesome injury at the hands of Maki Magwaza. Maki’s revenge plot gains momentum, leaving the once powerful Deborah shattered and alone.
Tyson (Lorcia Cooper) is out seeking revenge from the man that stripped her of her dignity, while Mazet (Dawn Thandeka King) goes after Sharon (Lindiwe Ndlovu) for killing someone dear to her.