Crime busting show Siz'okthola presented presenter Xolani Maphanga and one of his security detail and owner of Tshenolo, a private Investigation company, Bongani Mkhabela have been granted bail by the Soshanguve Magistrates Court. Maphanga and Mkhabela were released on R5 000 bail each yesterday after spending almost a week behind bars.

ASSAULTED FOR DRUGS

They are facing three counts of attempted murder and one of trespassing. The court heard that on 14 March, the two accused were part of a Moja Love TV crew who went to a house in Soshanguve after receiving a tip off that drugs were being sold there. " When they could not find the drugs, it is alleged that the two started to assault a woman who is a complainant in the matter with a sjambok and chocked her with a taser and further suffocated her brother," said the NPA's Lumka Mahanjana said, adding that three days after the incident, the victim reported the matter to the police and a warrant of arrest was issued for the two accused. "After investigations by the police, the two handed themselves over to the police on 09 April 2024. In court, by means of an affidavit the two denied committing the offences and asked to be released on bail," she said. Mahanjana said the state did not oppose their release-on bail, however, asked the court to impose conditions that the two should not communicate directly or indirectly with the witnesses and should report to their closest police station once a week.

A DIRTY GAME

Prior to the arrest of the accused, the channel issued a statement and said that they had a meeting with the police and their initial charged was assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In a turn of events when the accused handed themselves over to the police, their charges were escalated to attempted murder and trespassing. "In the same meeting the police indicated that they were getting pressure from a top politician regarding the case that was opened by a female drug lord and her brothers. The channel expressed concern that politicians were interfering with the work of the police. It was within this jurisdiction that the Moja Love crew found a corrupt cop collecting payola from a drug lord and the channel has footage to this effect and will be reporting this to IPID." the channel said. The matter was postponed to 21 May 2024 for further investigation.  

*Season 3 of Sizo'kthola will premier next week Sunday, 28 April at 9:30pm on Moja Love Channel 157.