Eight years after one brother died and the other, Mo, was put behind bars; eight years of taking the reign as queen, and the mermaid queen passed her powers to her, Vero has reigned as the Queen of Joburg, building her empire with blood on her hands. But her rule is anything but smooth. With Mo imprisoned, Vero’s unborn child at risk, and a dangerous new rival in Gavin Salat, the stakes have never been higher. Directed by Samad Davis, Kings of Jo’burg Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
Plot
After eight years of gang wars and rising power, Aliko Bajo continues to expand his empire, eliminating one rival after another. Vero, however, hatches a bold plan to topple him finally. She returns to Johannesburg alone, leaving Isadora behind, only to fall into Bajo’s ambush. Fortunately, her supernatural powers help her escape, and she swiftly uncovers a mole in her circle, raising alarm among allies Leon and Sting about the source of her strength.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, Gavin Salat rules both sides of the law: by day, a benevolent philanthropist; by night, the Kingpin of the R.I.P. Boys, a powerful gang secretly backed by an ancient spirit known as Oom. He’s building an empire rooted in drug trafficking, and his nephew orchestrates prison-controlled smuggling, even reaching Mo inside the prison walls. His aim? To reclaim street power through a powerful drug cartel.
His nephew’s presence in prison creates another conflict: Mo, still behind bars, struggles to maintain dominance as tensions rise. When the nephew offers Mo a deal to smuggle in weapons to save Lester’s life, Mo fails to deliver. As a result, Outjie challenges Lester to a brutal face-off, which ends in Outjie’s death. This incident sets off a chain reaction. The media catches wind, the authorities are alerted, and Gavin, enraged by his nephew’s death, vows revenge. He sends out a brutal message to the streets: eliminate them all. The first casualty is Mo’s son.
After surviving an attempt on his life in prison, Mo is faced with a harsh truth—if he doesn’t escape, he risks losing everything. During a chaotic prison brawl, he seizes the moment with Lester by his side, and together they break free. Now fugitives, they find refuge at Phumzi’s aunt’s home. There, a powerful revelation unfolds: the water spirits have issued a warning—Um must be destroyed for Vero’s child to survive and for the family’s bloodline to be freed from an ancient curse. If not, the child will die, and the curse will plague their lineage forever.
Meanwhile, Vero forms a shaky truce with Aliko Bajo and secretly approaches Gavin, only to be betrayed. Gavin’s supernatural abilities detect her deceit, and he confronts her in his private lair, A lair that no one goes in and comes out alive, with Vero coming out unscathed; he knew she had powers behind her.
Everything climaxed in Ep9 with Gavin closing a major drug deal with the Mexicans, Vero in labour, and Mo is betting everything on one final move. Chaos breaks loose. Gunfire. Betrayals. Spiritual warfare. Mo and Vero team up to stop Gavin and destroy Um once and for all. Lives are lost. Empires shake. But does the child survive?
Cast
Zolisa Xaluva returned as Mo and once again proved he’s the soul of Kings of Joburg. From his build to his charisma, Mo’s character brought the kind of presence that grounded the chaos around him. Though it appears we may have seen the last of Mo with the way Season 3 ended, his performance left a lasting impact.
Connie Ferguson as Vero was a solid 10/10. Commanding, regal, and deeply layered, she carried her scenes with grace and gravitas. Whether confronting enemies or navigating supernatural motherhood, she barely had to overdo anything; her aura spoke volumes. At times, she made you believe she was truly pregnant; that’s how convincing she was.
Clint Brink gave us a chillingly brilliant Gavin Salat. His intense delivery, spiritual conversations, and villainous finesse made him one of the most memorable characters of the season. The scenes where his eyes transformed or where he tapped into Oom’s power felt believable and eerie in the best way.
Abdul Khoza as Lester delivered a nuanced performance. Whether playing the anxious prisoner, the reluctant snitch, or the loyal protector of Mo’s legacy, his energy was magnetic. He made every twist of his arc feel earned.
Llewellen Cordia (Leon) and Nnekwa Tsajwa (Sting) were solid in their roles, supporting the central plot with controlled, intense and almost comic performances.
Malik Yoba, familiar to many from Tyler Perry’s projects, brought emotional depth to Isador. Though it seems his journey may be over in the next season, his presence was felt.
Altovise Lawrence (Gail), Thembi Seeti (Keneiluwe), Cindy Mahlangu (Phumzi), and Enyinna Enwingwe (Aliko Bajo) rounded out the cast with energy and purpose. Even though the cast was large, no one felt out of place; each role was distinct and meaningful.
Language
The show continues to celebrate South African culture through rich linguistic layers, featuring Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and Swahili. These languages aren’t just thrown in; they add emotion, authenticity, and power to the storytelling. It’s one of the reasons the King of Jo‘burg universe feels so alive.
Final take
Kings of Jo’burg Season 3 isn’t the average South African series; it’s a bold, unapologetic fusion of gritty crime and gripping supernatural power plays. And guess what? It works. It really works. This season, fires are on all cylinders. From power moves and prison breaks to ancient spirits and gangland revenge, the plot weaves between the criminal underworld and mystical forces without missing a beat. The supernatural wasn’t just tossed in for flair; it felt organic, like magic and mayhem have always been part of Joburg’s DNA.
From Episode 1 to Episode 7, it’s a ride you don’t want to get off. Yes, a few scenes dragged here and there, but every moment was heavy with intent. The tension, the stakes, the layered characters – it all keeps you locked in. You’ll catch yourself leaning in, fists clenched, waiting to see who makes it out alive.
Let’s talk cast; everyone brought heat. This wasn’t “let’s just show up and act”; this was “step aside, I’ve come to eat this role.” From Mo’s raw leadership to Gavin’s villainous calm and Vero’s fierce elegance, it was clear: no one came to play. And the costume department? Gold stars all round. Each character’s style wasn’t just fashionable; it was functional storytelling, especially for Vero. Her looks were classy, bold, and always scene-stealing.
Were there plot holes? Sure. Some moments, like how Vero escaped Gavin’s ambush or what went down with the prophetess during Mo’s first attempt to take out Oom and what on earth happened to Aliko Bajo? He began as a central villain with serious momentum, only to be quietly pushed to the background. Those areas could’ve used a little more clarity. But honestly? You’re so into it, you barely care. The energy, the direction, and the storytelling make up for it.
The finale? Emotionally packed and satisfying. Though we didn’t get a burial scene, Mo’s gravestone suggests he’s gone. But let’s be honest, this is Kings of Jo‘burg. Anything is possible. Isadora’s arc seems done, but Vero? There’s unfinished business there, and we’re here for it.
This season gave action, gave drama, gave mysticism, gave betrayal, and gave style, and it delivered. It’s a must-watch and a proud entry into the hall of great South African thrillers.
