The newest face on Moja Love’s Sizok’thola, Xolani Maphanga, voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities on Tuesday in response to charges of assault. He adamantly denies any involvement in the alleged incident, citing mistaken identity as the crux of the matter. The South African Police Services (SAPS) recently escalated the charges against Maphanga and his security team from assault to attempted murder.
A Case of Misidentification
Presently, Maphanga is being held at the Soshanguve Police Station awaiting his court appearance for a bail application. Moja Love TV Channels has affirmed Maphanga’s ongoing custody. In a statement, the channel clarified, “Xolani Maphanga, the newly appointed presenter of Sizok’thola, was arrested based on allegations of assaulting an elderly woman during a show recording. However, Maphanga vehemently asserts that it was a case of mistaken identity and denies any involvement in the alleged assault.”
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The statement continued, revealing that Maphanga voluntarily accompanied by a member of his security team, presented himself to authorities on Tuesday, following which they were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.
Pressure from Higher Quarters
Moja Love reported that prior to Maphanga’s arrest, Tshwane police had met with channel executives, intending to charge Maphanga and his security team with assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH). However, upon their surrender, the charges escalated to attempted murder and trespassing. The channel’s statement also hinted at political interference, claiming pressure from a prominent politician regarding the case, initiated by a female drug lord and her siblings, accusing Maphanga and his security team of assault.
“Moja Love expresses concern over potential political influence on law enforcement activities. Moreover, our crew uncovered evidence of police corruption during their investigations, which we intend to report to the Independent Police Investigate Directorate (IPID),” the statement asserted.
Zero Tolerance for Violence
Moja Love reiterated its commitment to justice, stating, “While we respect Maphanga’s version of events, we will allow the legal process to unfold. Our channel does not condone any form of misconduct, and if any unlawful incidents occurred during filming, we will address them accordingly.”
The channel emphasized its dedication to combating drug proliferation within communities, reiterating its support for law enforcement agencies. “Sizok’thola serves as a vital tool in exposing the drug epidemic plaguing our society, aiming to eradicate the influence of drug lords and dealers. We encourage the public to report any illegal activities to the authorities, underscoring our commitment to societal betterment. Moja Love pledges full cooperation with law enforcement agencies,” the statement concluded.