Sbahle Mpisane has opened up about a disturbing encounter with an alleged stalker who reportedly followed her to the gym, approached reception and claimed to be her husband while demanding her cellphone number.
The fitness influencer and media personality has since shared details of the encounter with her followers, raising concerns after the man allegedly went as far as appearing at her mother Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize’s home.
Sbahle said the man has been presenting himself to people as her husband, despite the fact that she says she does not know him and has no relationship with him.
The alleged gym encounter
The situation escalated when the man allegedly followed Sbahle to the gym. He approached reception and allegedly told staff that he was Sbahle’s husband. He then demanded that reception provide him with her cellphone number. The man, unknown to her identified himself as being connected to her family, saying he was the brother-in-law of her brother, Andile Mpisane. However, she has made it clear that she does not regard the man as her husband.
The allegations have raised concerns because the man allegedly knew where Sbahle’s mother lives and subsequently appeared at the family home. Sbahle shared a photograph of the man online as she warned people about the situation.
Sbahle says she is not shaken
Despite the unsettling encounters, Sbahle has reportedly indicated that she is not allowing the situation to frighten her.
The latest incident has nevertheless prompted concern among her followers, particularly because the alleged behaviour has moved beyond online or verbal contact and into places associated with her daily life and family.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and the man has not been convicted of stalking or any other offence. Sbahle’s account should therefore be understood as an allegation.
The situation also comes years after Sbahle previously spoke publicly about dealing with a stalker or hacker.
In January 2019, while recovering from her devastating car accident, she revealed that someone had allegedly been sending threatening and blackmailing messages to her and her family.
“For the past 2 weeks I have been dealing with messages from a stalker or hacker that have been blackmailing me & my family on my personal number,” she said at the time.
She also appealed to the person responsible to leave her alone, saying: “I pray and appeal to you, whoever you are to grant me peace.”
Who is Sbahle Mpisane?
Sbahle Mpisane, whose full name is Sbahle Mpisane, is a South African fitness personality, entrepreneur, influencer and television personality.
Sbahle became widely known through her fitness journey and social media presence, where she built a following around exercise, wellness and body positivity. She is also the founder of FitnessBunnie, a fitness and bootcamp brand.
Sbahle studied housing and town planning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and graduated with a degree in the field. Her public profile expanded through television appearances, including the Mzansi Magic reality series Kwa Mam’Mkhize, which documented the lives of her family.
She also became a household name because of her association with the Mpisane and Mkhize families.
Her famous family
Sbahle is the daughter of businessman Sbu Wiseman Mpisane. Her father was previously married to prominent Durban businesswoman and television personality Shauwn Mkhize.
Shauwn Mkhize, widely known as MaMkhize, is Sbahle’s stepmother. Despite that distinction, the two have maintained a close mother-and-daughter relationship over the years. Mkhize has publicly spoken about raising Sbahle and considering her part of her family.
Sbahle’s younger brother is businessman and football executive Andile Mpisane, who is also known to South African audiences through the family’s television appearances and his involvement in football. The siblings featured prominently alongside MaMkhize in Kwa Mam’Mkhize.
MaMkhize herself is the daughter of the late Florence Mkhize, an anti-apartheid activist and ANC veteran whose legacy is commemorated in Durban.
The accident that changed her life
Sbahle’s public journey has also been marked by a serious personal setback.
In August 2018, she was involved in a devastating car crash in Durban that left her critically injured. She spent about three months in hospital, including time in a coma and intensive care, and later spoke openly about the physical and emotional challenges of rebuilding her life.
The accident resulted in a long recovery, including difficulties with mobility and memory. Sbahle has repeatedly documented her rehabilitation and return to fitness, turning her recovery into an important part of her public story.
Her determination to rebuild her life has remained central to her public image.
Now, years later, another deeply personal situation has put Sbahle in the spotlight, this time after she alleged that a man has been following her, claiming to be her husband and attempting to gain access to her personal information.
While Sbahle says she is not shaken, the reported appearance of the alleged stalker at locations she frequents and at her mother’s home has brought renewed attention to the safety concerns that come with being a highly visible public figure.
