It has been over a year and a half since the fateful night when radio and TV personality Sthembinkosi ’Bujy’ Bikwa and media darling Boity Thulo got into a drunken brawl that left the beauty’s face bruised. Bujy was arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after throwing a glass at her. After an ongoing case and investigation, Boity has since dropped the charges against Bujy and he can finally live a free life.

THE ASSAULT

The incident happened after an argument broke out while the two were at a hotel in Midrand Johannesburg. A group of friends, including Bujy and Boity were sitting outside the pool area enjoying drinks when they got into a heated argument. In an audio taken by one of the eyewitnesses, Boity and Bujy were heard arguing minutes before the sound of breaking glass and screaming was heard. Other voices were heard trying to stop the alleged assault. Before the sound of breaking glass, Bujy was heard discussing ancestors and Boity’s sangoma calling. "Do you know what’s the worst part ne, going inside the water and seeing your grandfather and just like Boity’s grandfather bailing out? Is this how weak you are? With such aggressiveness. I don’t need to thwasa," Bujy said. Boity then responded," I am a bigger person than him. No one knows who he is. He is like a nobody. Every time he shows up, it’s like, why is this guy around." Then minutes later, the argument turned violent.

THE ARREST

Boity was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and opened a case. Bujy was arrested and held in custody at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. Days later, he was granted R2 000 bail by the Midrand Magistrates’ Court and warned by the court not to tamper with the investigation. Soon after that, pictures of a bleeding Boity resurfaced on the internet. She addressed the incident saying that she would be following the case with keen interest. "It is with deep sadness to state that I was indeed an unfortunate victim of a vicious physical assault and that I have since opened a case against the culprit, which I am following with a keen interest. I do not wish to comment on this matter any further (at this time)," she wrote in a statement. After the incident, the publicist who had invited the two to her event was taken for a disciplinary hearing at work and later dismissed due to the incident.

FORGIVENESS

Boity is said to have since dropped the case. Bujy tells ZiMoja that he can finally breathe a sigh of relief. "I was struggling to get work because of this pending case. I was shamed and lost a lot of endorsement deals and I needed a lot of healing," he said. "It has not been easy but I have been fighting for my life," Bujy said, adding that Boity dropped the charges after he received counselling and they underwent a mediation process with the Midrand Magistrates’ Court. "Boity and I spoke, we realised both our mistakes, we hugged and agreed it’s time we move on and be civil towards each other. Things will not be the same, but we can try," he said. Bujy does not condone violence and said he has learned there are some issues that he needs to deal with. "I am trying to be a better person. But I am grateful for the second chance," he added. 

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Bujy admitted that the mistake caused his depression and anxiety. "I was very depressed. People judged me and did not want to associate themselves with me. Brands stopped working with me and I had to change my lifestyle and move into a smaller apartment after losing an income," he said, adding that, "I had to forgive myself first."