TWO popular Nelson Mandela Bay kwaito artists appeared in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of robbery and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Lungile Msizi and S’thembiso Kula, known more commonly by their stage names Sdudla and Ma Thousand, were arrested in dramatic style as they were about to perform at Monde’s Tavern in Motherwell on Friday night.
Two other men, Lulama Kati and Daxter Tjale, were also arrested. They were released on R500 bail each and all four were ordered to appear in court yesterday.
Warrant Officer Dumile Gwavu said the four faced two counts involving assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and robbery of a cellphone belonging to a taxi driver.
The artists’ business manager, Monde Tshamlambo, confirmed they were arrested at the tavern while hundreds of fans waited for them to perform.
He said the arrests stemmed from an incident three weeks ago when Sdudla and Ma Thousand were invited to a housewarming party. A female friend had allegedly arranged for a taxi to take 10 guests from New Brighton to the party in Motherwell and it was agreed they would pay the driver a deposit of R350 and another R350 afterwards.
"But when the driver arrived ... in New Brighton, he demanded the balance, saying his taxi did not have petrol. He then started to assault her in full view of the public,” Tshamlambo said.
A mob then started beating up the driver, and the woman phoned the two – who were not at the scene – asking them to come there.
Tshamlambo claimed the taxi driver then used the two names he heard, and laid a complaint against them at the New Brighton police station.
"But when he saw posters of my artists who were having a gig that Friday night, he called the police telling them these were the men who robbed [him] of [his] phone and assaulted [him] three weeks ago,” Tshamlambo said. The two would plead not guilty, he said.
The case was postponed to October 1 for further investigation.
