Poet and scholar Ntsiki Mazwai (44) has paid R6,000 after the court-ordered costs for calling DJ Themba Nkosi, previously known as Euphonik, a rapist. The DJ asked the court to declare that the poet has no money because she hasn’t paid more than R280,000 in legal fees she owes him.
Reports stated in April 2021, the Johannesburg High Court ordered Mazwai to stop and pay R74,000 in legal costs. In January 2022, the court added R104,316 to the fee. When she tried to appeal, the court added another R114,000 in costs. The reports indicate that When the sheriff went to her home, they found valuables were only worth R1,500. Mazwai is saidto have no money and is part of a debt help group.
Mazwai has since shared how the entire experience has frustrated her life. In a letter written to the court on April 1, she allegedly stated that she had nothing to her name. “This is to certify that I have no, zero, nothing assets. The car I drive still belongs to the bank still. The laptop I use is a loan from Kena Foundation. The cellphone I use is my sister’s extra phone,” she stated.
Weighing in on the matter is veteran music executive Vusi Leeuw, who believes Mazwai needs to be punished for defamation. Leeuw stressed how the alllegations affected the DJs career and personal life. “Euphonik’s brand and life was almost totally destroyed. He changed his professional name from DJ Euphonik to Themba and focused on the European market (probably) largely because he was defamed by being labelled a “rapist” by Ms. KnowitAll in South Africa, he said. “She went all out to try to destroy him, now she wants ‘peace’. Njani? Allegations of payments to destroy successful Black men went around as well… Justice has prevailed. Open for more lawsuits to fight defamation.”
Leeuw believes the poet must pay for the allegations. “She must be taken to the cleaners. It’s not only Euphonik who suffered, his parents, relatives, partner, kids, friends, businesses, business partners, fans, etc,” he added. “She has not only tried to defame Euphonik only, there are others while using her bullying and arrogant tactics because of her social media and those in the social media she was impressing. They must help her pay for all the costs so that more lawsuits can follow as more of those defamed by her must do what Euphonik has greatly done.”
