Lunga Shabalala Breaks Silence on Assault Allegations
Former TV presenter Lunga Shabalala has addressed the assault accusations made against him following a recent incident.
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Lunga Shabalala Assault Incident Details
Reports indicate that Shabalala was involved in a physical altercation with an Uber driver on September 22 at a petrol station in Sandton, Johannesburg. The conflict allegedly began when the driver slapped Shabalala’s girlfriend during a ride. In response, Shabalala reportedly retaliated, leading to a fight where he is said to have struck the driver with a bottle. Both individuals were arrested and appeared in court, with Shabalala facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Shabalala Sets the Record Straight
Shabalala took to his X account to clarify the situation and defend his reputation in light of these allegations. He vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that they mischaracterize him as a violent person. He emphasized that there is no ongoing legal case against him, as the Uber driver voluntarily withdrew the charges and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) chose not to pursue the matter.
“The man involved has voluntarily withdrawn all charges following the incident on 22 September and the prosecutor after reviewing the matter, has chosen not to pursue any form of prosecution. This legal outcome speaks to my innocence in the situation and underscores the baselessness of these allegations against me”.
Shabalala also expressed his strong stance against violence, particularly gender-based violence (GBV). As a public figure, he recognizes the responsibility to promote positive behaviour and combat societal issues like GBV.
“As a public figure, I understand the immense responsibility I carry in promoting positive behaviours, and I firmly stand against all forms of violence, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It is a societal scourge that we must all unite to combat, and I am deeply committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, equality, and respect,” he said.
The former Selimathunzi presenter also said that the allegations levelled against him, are not only false but also hurtful. He further urged the media and the public to refrain from spreading false claims that could damage an individual’s reputation.
Also read: “He Is Harassing Me Over Anything”| Thando Thabethe Fears Ex Lunga Shabalala Is A Threat To Her Life
Past Incidents in the Spotlight
This incident is not Shabalala’s first time in the headlines for personal matters. In 2023, he made news after his ex-girlfriend Thando Thabethe reportedly filed an interim protection order against him, alleging that he had stalked her and showed up unannounced at her workplace following their 2022 breakup.