Innocence Prevails: Award-Winning DJ Maphorisa Exonerated as Assault Charges Dropped
DJ Maphorisa, a renowned award-winning producer, can now breathe a sigh of relief as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has dropped the assault charges against him.
This news brings great relief not only to DJ Maphorisa but also to his dedicated fan base who always believed in his innocence.
NPA Decision: DJ Maphorisa Assault Charges Dropped
The musician, whose real name is Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, made a brief appearance in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Friday.
During the court proceedings, the public prosecutor revealed that they had decided to withdraw the case after reviewing DJ Maphorisa’s representations. These representations were submitted by the DJ’s legal team. Upon careful examination, the NPA concluded that the charges should be dropped.
“The matter on the roll for representations outcome and charges have been withdrawn as per senior public prosecutor decision,” the prosecutor stated.
Legal Journey: Background and Timeline
Back in July, the 31-year-old musician’s assault case was postponed to allow for the submission of representations to the Director of Public Prosecution. This decision was made after DJ Maphorisa’s girlfriend, Thuli Phongolo, withdrew the charges against him. The Blaq Boy Entertainment boss then made his appearance in court on June 14th.
The incident leading to his arrest occurred on May 7th when a case of common assault was reported at the Sandton Police Station in Johannesburg. Allegations suggested that DJ Maphorisa had assaulted an individual at an apartment in Sandton.
NPA’s Decision: Upholding Justice
Phindi Mjonondwane, the spokesperson for Gauteng’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), shared that DJ Maphorisa is now in the clear. According to her, there are no pending cases against him. The decision to halt the criminal proceedings is primarily due to his clean record, as he had never been convicted of any offence before.
Mjonondwane emphasized that DJ Maphorisa is a first-time offender, and they also have a statement from the complainants confirming the withdrawal of charges. She explained that the NPA operates based on the principles of justice and the contents of the case docket.
Additionally, Mjonondwane stated that the NPA possessed evidential materials and prosecutorial orders, but the decision was taken considering the best interest of justice and the available information.
“There are currently no cases against him. So, as the prosecution, we stopped criminal proceedings against him as he had never been convicted before. He is a first-time offender. Remember, we also have the withdrawal statement of the complainants,” Mjonondwane said.