‘Sizok’thola’ presenter’s case transferred to the regional court

TV personality Xolani Maphanga and his co-accused, Bongani Mkhabela, were granted R5 000 bail each in April.

The attempted murder case of Sizok’thola presenter Xolani Maphanga and his co-accused will be transferred to the regional court.

‘SIZOK’THOLA’ PRESENTER AND CO-ACCUSED APPEAR IN COURT

The presenter of the drug-busting show on Moja Love, as well as the show’s director Bongani Mkhabela, made a brief appearance at the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 17 July, where it was revealed that the State has completed its investigations.

ZiMoja reports that the court heard that the docket will be disclosed to the defence, who will be allowed to evaluate the facts around the State’s witnesses.

Maphanga and Mkhabela are facing three counts of attempted murder and trespassing. The pair is accused of assaulting an elderly woman during the recording of a Sizok’thola episode.

They were granted R5 000 bail each in April this year.

TV PRESENTER IS ALLEGEDLY BEING TARGETED

In March, Sunday World reported that Maphanga is being targeted by a Pretoria-based drug lord who allegedly fabricated assault allegations against him.

The information is contained in an internal staff memorandum by Moja Love – written by by the channel’s spokesperson, Nonzwakazi Cekete – which detailed the contents of a meeting between the Sizok’thola crew and the police.

The memo revealed that four police personnel from the Soshanguve police station, led by warrant officer Masombuka, held a meeting with Sizok’thola staff in March. The police told the crew that a case of assault had been opened against Maphanga and his 10 bouncers at the station by a family of three.

“They accuse the team of wanting drugs, and when they didn’t get them, they allegedly assaulted them,” read the memo.

Additionally, it was alleged the police were mandated to arrest Maphanga and crew.

“They [police] are getting pressure from above, at the provincial level, which apparently is coming from head office. The complainant is politically connected to the ANC and they have threatened strike action in the community if no action is taken; hence, this case is getting the attention it is getting,“ read the memo.

Cekete disputed that there was any assault from Maphanga and the Sizok’thola crew, as the channel has introduced new measures to bust drug dealers without using force.