They handed themselves to the police in Tshwane. Moja LOVE presenter and host of the crime show, Siz’okthola Xolani Maphanga, and one of his security guards were released on R5000 bail after briefly appearing at the Soshanguve Magistrates Court.
The two face three counts of attempted murder and one of trespassing. The court heard that on 14 March. It was reported, that they were part of the Moja Love TV crew who went to a house in Soshanguve after receiving a tip-off that drugs were being sold there. ” 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 a taser and further suffocated her brother,” said the NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana said in a statement.
Three days after the incident, the victim reported the matter to the police and a warrant of arrest was issued for the two accused. “After investigations by the police, the two-handed themselves over to the police on 09 April 2024. In court, using an affidavit the two denied committing the offences and asked to be released on bail,” she said. She added that the state did not oppose their release on bail.
Moja LOVE issued a saying, they met with the police and their initial charge was assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but the charge was changed. “In the same meeting, the police indicated that they were getting pressure from a top politician regarding the case that was opened by a female drug lord and her brothers. The channel expressed concern that politicians were interfering with the work of the police. It was within this jurisdiction that the Moja Love crew found a corrupt cop collecting payola from a drug lord and the channel has footage to this effect and will be reporting this to IPID.” the channel said. The matter was postponed to 21 May 2024 for further investigation.
Cece Smith 