DJ Maphorisa, whose real name is Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, has been granted R4000 bail after his girlfriend, former Generations: The Legacy star Thuli Phongolo dropped the assault case against him. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, 7 May 2023, when the award-winning DJ allegedly hit Phongolo with open hands and strangled her during an argument.
Phongolo laid a charge with Sandton South African Police Service (Saps), and the police immediately arrested DJ Maphorisa. However, during court proceedings on Monday, Phongolo filed a withdrawal statement agreeing to the accused’s release on bail.
“The case was remanded to 14 June 2023 for Sekowe to lodge representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in light of the withdrawal statement that has been filed by the complainant,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonodwane.
City Press reported that Phongolo opened a case and shared the details of the incident in a statement seen by the publication. “I confronted him so that we could talk about our argument that happened the previous night during his gig… He held me and took me to the balcony, and grabbed me aggressively by my neck,” Thuli said as quoted by the publication.
The paper also quoted a source that revealed this was not the first time the couple had argued. “They had a fight in early December after accusations of infidelity. They had another fight last month but it never got to the police station.”
The relationship between DJ Maphorisa and Phongolo has been a subject of speculation, with the pair sparking dating rumours in 2021 when a video of them dancing intimately made rounds on social media. However, Phongolo denied being in a relationship with Maphorisa.
The actress has also previously been rumoured to be dating other DJs, including the Jerusalema hitmaker Master KG and Mr. Jazziq. “I mean ‘respect me’ as in stop spreading baseless rumours! Hayibo nina, angisadlali!” she wrote, denying Master KG‘s rumours.
The case against DJ Maphorisa has been remanded to June 14, 2023, as he lodges representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
