Close friends of Durban musician Nhlakanipho “Moshine” Shongwe have raised concerns over his wellbeing, saying the artist is struggling with drug addiction and desperately needs help following his dramatic fallout with music collective Witness The Funk (WTF).
According to a close friend, people around the musician have been worried for years as his personal battles allegedly spiralled behind the scenes while his public image continued to grow in the entertainment industry.
“He has not been okay for a long time. We are genuinely scared for him now because things seem to be getting worse,” said the friend.
“People have tried to help him over and over again. He has been in and out of rehab and there were moments where everyone thought he was getting better, but the addiction keeps pulling him back. Right now he needs support more than anything.”
The concern comes after Witness The Funk officially confirmed that they had parted ways with Moshine. The split follows allegations made by a woman on a podcast, where she claimed that at the height of his career Moshine allegedly spiked her drink and sexually assaulted her before allegedly paying R70 000 for the matter to be buried with the help of singer Bongekile “Babes Wodumo” Simelane. In a statement, Witness The Funk confirmed that all ties with Moshine had officially been cut, saying the decision was reached after extensive efforts to salvage the relationship failed. The collective admitted they had invested “time, effort, chances, and grace” into trying to preserve their working relationship with Moshine, but ultimately accepted that continuing together was no longer possible.
The group also issued a firm request to promoters, publications, bookers and entertainment industry stakeholders to stop associating Moshine’s name with the Witness The Funk brand in bookings, events, promotions and media coverage.
“At the end of the day people can judge him, but those who know him personally know he is fighting serious demons. Everyone just wants him to get help and survive this.”
