Celebrities and politicians, despite their wealth and fame, are not immune to the legal system, including arrest and serving time behind bars. We look at the famous who were arrested and charged with different crimes in 2024.
DUMA NDLOVU'S UNEXPECTED ARREST
Well-known executive producer Duma Ndlovu's arrest sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment community. Ndlovu was arrested in September and charged with tax evasion amounting to R25 million alongside two co-accused. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) alleges that he failed to pay his substantial tax liabilities. Ndlovu was released on R100,000 bail and is set to be back in court on 2 April 2025.
ZIZI KODWA ARRESTED FOR FRAUD
Former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa was also arrested in June this year facing corruption charges. It was alleged that an IT company executive, Jehan Mackay, paid bribes to Kodwa, amounting to R1.6 million, between April 2015 and February 2018 in the form of cash, luxury accommodation, and other gratifications in exchange for government contracts. Following mounting pressure to resign, he stepped down from his cabinet position a few days after he was sworn in as an MP in the new administration. In a turn of events, the corruption charges against the two accused were officially dropped in November by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Gauteng Division.
NPA spokesperson Phindile Mjonondwane said at the time: "The decision to abandon the prosecution is premised on grounds militated by the successful representations that were lodged by the accused with the office of the DPP, which were comprehensively considered alongside the evidential material contained in the case docket, the reports from the prosecutor and the regional head of the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit, and consultation with the investigating officer."
NOTA DETAINED ON RAPE CHARGES
Music executive Nota Baloyi became a trending topic on social media after he voluntarily surrendered to the police, following accusations of rape made by a prominent actress in October. She alleged that he assaulted her at his home. Baloyi appeared in the Randburg Magistrates Court and was released on R5,000 bail. The former music executive was also served 20 days of a 60-day sentence handed down by the Johannesburg High Court in March 2023. This sentence was connected to a defamation lawsuit filed against him by rapper Ntokozo Mdluli, widely recognised as K.O, concerning allegations made on social media. He will be back in the same court on January 26.
PASTOR MBORO AND BODYGUARD ARRESTED
His arrest comes after an incident where he was wielding a panga while in the company of men holding AK-47s at a school in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni. It's alleged that Mboro, real name Paseka Motsoeneng, was at the school to abduct his two grandchildren, whose mother passed away. He was denied bail for some time and spent 40 days behind bars before he was released on R3,000 bail.
LOGWE TWALA WAS ARRESTED FOR THEFT FROM HIS FATHER, CHICCO
Logwe Twala, son of music producer Chicco Twala, was arrested for allegedly stealing studio equipment from his father. Chicco expressed his discontent, stating that he is indifferent to the consequences faced by his son due to these alleged actions.
