Nokwazi Ngonyama, the wife of former ANC spokesperson and former SA ambassador to Japan, Smuts Ngonyama, will re-appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate's Court in the Eastern Cape on assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on Friday. Nokwazi has made several court appearances after being accused of beating their domestic worker Tandiswa Tokwe with a broomstick in 2023 at their residence in Tokyo, Japan.
AN EMPLOYEE
Tokwe had been working in the Ngonyama residence as a domestic since May 2019 when the incident happened. She alleges that Nokwazi did not tell her the reason for the assault except to demand to tell her what was going on in the house. She allegedly beat her three times on her thighs and arms with a broomstick. The Ngonyama family later apologised to Tokwe and she briefly kept her job after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) intervened. On 27 July, Toke resigned out of fear she left Japan and went back home to East London.
JUSTICE
Tokwe's family has since released a statement standing against the alleged incident and are uniting to pursue justice for their daughter. According to the family, "Tandiswa has been wronged by the politically connected Ngonyama family. The egregious acts of abuse inflicted upon Tandiswa, a dedicated domestic worker, cannot go unnoticed nor unpunished,' the statement reads. The family revealed that on 14 July 2023, at approximately 06:20 am, Tandiswa was brutally assaulted by Nokwazi. "This horrific act occurred in a place where Tandiswa should have felt safe, having been employed there since 28 May 2019."
THE PERPETRATOR
The family stated they are relieved that Nonkwazi will finally face her day in court. "This marks a significant step forward fight for justice; yet it is imperative to recognize that the journey does not end here.' The Snobolo family accuses the Ngonyama family of employing tactics of suppression, utilizing a settlement agreement laden with clauses designed to silence Tandiswa and deny her the justice she rightfully deserves,' they said in the statement.
DEMANDS
The Snobolo family is demanding accountability from DIRCO which they say must hold Smuts Ngonyama and his wife responsible for their actions. "The legal system must ensure she is not silenced by an unjust settlement. The government must implement stronger protections for South African domestic workers in diplomatic missions," the statement continued. "This case is emblematic of a larger issue of power dynamics and the urgent need for accountability within diplomatic circles. No one, regardless of their status, should be allowed to perpetrate abuse without facing the consequences,' the concluded in the statement.
National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali confirmed that the matter will sit at the Mdantsane Magistrate's Court tomorrow.
