Last year, Gqom singer Babes Wodumo, real name Bongekile Simelane, found herself at the centre of a conflict with Durban fashion designer Philly Mhlongo from Sk'Dee Designs, which turned physical. A video of her attacking the designer and being stopped by her father, Pastor Welcome Simelane, and security went viral on the internet, landing her in hot water. Philly subsequently opened a case of assault with GBH, and the case has since gone on a three-day trial, which started yesterday.

 THE FIGHT

The altercation took place in March 2024 over money for clothes. In the shared video, the Domoroza singer screams at Philly, who responds, "Fokof! This is not the first time Babe's dancers owe me. I never said she owes me." The designer claimed that Babes Wodumo's dancers, Smiso Zulu and Sanele Smallz, had not paid for the garments hired for a performance and Babes was accountable as they worked for her. The designer said they hired out the clothes for a performance at the IFP manifesto launch and did not have funds to pay immediately and left a deposit of R150. After a long argument, things turned physical, and security personnel had to intervene.

THE TRIAL

Yesterday, during the first day of the trial, Babes's defence lawyer, Thula Mlondo, challenged how the footage depicting the alleged assault was acquired and in response, the presiding magistrate, Ntokozo Myeni, requested the video for viewing, which the prosecution did not have. Myeni postponed the case to Monday, 27 January, to give the state time to get the footage. The trial will continue on Monday and on 7 February. Babes has pleaded not guilty.