Pretoria – Sizokthola presenter on Moja Love, 39-year-old Xolani Maphanga, accused of attempted murder was granted bail of R5 000 by the Soshanguve Magistrates’ Court.
Giving details on the matter Lumka Mahanjana, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson, said Maphanga’s co-accused 33-year-old Bongani Mkhabela was also granted bail of R 5 000.
Mkhabela, a director and owner of Tshenolo Private Investigation company, is also a bodyguard for the Sizokthola show.
Maphanga popularly known as “X” and Mkhabela face three counts of attempted murder and trespassing.
“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,” said NPA spokesperson Mahanjana.
“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.”
The accused allegedly choked the complainant and her brother. They allegedly used a taser on the complainant.
“Three days after the incident the woman reported the matter to the police,” said Mahanjana.
“After investigations by the police, the two handed themselves over to the police on 9 April 2024 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.
The matter was postponed to 21 May 2024 for further investigations.