The Soshanguve Magistrates’ Court has granted the Sizok’thola presenter on Moja Love, Xolani Maphanga and the director and owner of Tshenolo Private Investigation company, Bongani Mkhabela, R 5000 bail each.
The two are facing three counts of attempted murder and trespassing, a schedule five offence.
“It is alleged that on 14 March 2024, the two together with other crew members of Moja Love that have not been identified went to the complainant’s house in Soshanguve, looking for drugs that they allege the complainant was selling.
When they could not find the drugs, it is alleged that the two started to assault a woman who is a complainant in the matter with a sjambok and chocked her with taser and further suffocated her brother,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana
Mahanjana added that the woman reported the matter to the police three days after her ordeal.
Following an investigation by the police, the two handed themselves over to the police on 09 April after a warrant of arrest was issued against them.
“In court, by means of an affidavit the two denied committing the offences and asked to be released on bail.
The state did not oppose their release-on bail however the state asked the court to impose conditions that the two should not communicate directly or indirectly with the witnesses and should report to their closest police station once a week,” explained Mahanjana.
The case was postponed to 21 May for further investigations.
Meanwhile, Maphanga’s employer Moja Love last week released a statement indicating that the channel stands by him.
According to the channel’s spokesperson, Nonzwakazi Cekete, Maphanga assured them that “it was a case of mistaken identity and that he didn’t assault anyone during filming.”
Cekete added that they also suspect foul play, as there has been external influence from a certain unnamed politician who is putting pressure on the police to act on the matter.
Sizok’thola show has always courted controversy, as the previous presenter, Xolani Khumalo, was fired by Moja Love last year.
This after together with his crew were arrested following the death of a suspected drug dealer during a raid and filming.
