Johannesburg – Well-known 32-year-old social media personality, Musawenkosi Khawula, arrested for posting derogatory statements and skipping bail in an attempted murder case, has been remanded in custody and will remain behind bars until next month.
Khawula appeared briefly in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, (24 January 2025).
Apart from the crimen injuria charges related to his social media posts, Khawula also faces charges of attempted murder, alternatively reckless driving, as well as an additional charge of failing to render assistance and/or report an accident to the police.
These charges allegedly arise from an incident on 20 February 2021, around 18:00 near Mponeng Mine, some 90km south-west of Johannesburg.
It is alleged that the complainant and his wife were driving home on a narrow road when they noticed a Volkswagen Polo parked along the roadway.
The accused was standing next to the vehicle naked on his lower body.
The couple approached the accused, informing him that he was trespassing on private property.
Upon looking inside the vehicle, the complainant allegedly saw another man moving from the back seat to the front seat while getting dressed.
After an exchange of words between the complainant and the accused, the accused allegedly returned to his car, and drove away, when he reached a dead-end he executed a U-turn.
Khawula then allegedly bumped the complainant, who was standing beside the driver’s side of his vehicle, before fleeing the scene, leaving the complainant injured on the ground.
A member of the Community Policing Forum, driving along the same road, found the injured complainant. The police were alerted and the matter was pursued.
Khawula was arrested shortly thereafter at a nearby tavern at Mponeng Mine, making his first court appearance on 22 February 2021, where he was granted R1 000 bail.
However, after twice failing to appear in court, a warrant for his arrest was authorised, and his bail was forfeited to the state on 17 June 2021.
The accused was re-arrested and appeared in court again on 16 January 2025.
Khawula is also alleged to have posted derogatory statements between 10 and 12 October 2024 on his social media platform, which has a substantial following, with the alleged intention of impairing, injuring, or damaging the dignity of 44-year-old businessman Zee Nxumalo.
The accused faces crimen Injuria charges related to the post.
RELATED: Crimen Injuria: Musa Khawula Remanded In Custody Over Derogatory Social Media Posts – The Bulrushes
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said the court has since added a charge of attempted murder, with reckless driving as an alternative, along with the charge of failing to render assistance and/or report the accident.
The matter has been postponed to 5 February 2025 for a formal bail application.
The accused is remanded in custody.
