In 2021, businessman and motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo was arrested on charges of domestic abuse at the Douglasdale police station where he was released on bail. His wife, Palesa Thembekwayo accused him of slapping her several times and dragging her by her feet down the stairs. 

NOT GUILTY

The Randburg Magistrate Court found Thembekwayo not guilty of assault on Friday. According to the court, Palesa's statement kept changing and there were discrepancies in her statements. This led to the magistrate declaring the author of Vusi: Business & Life Lessons from a Black Dragon not guilty.

A FREE MAN

Despite being found not guilty, Vusi mentions how the matter inconvenienced his life, work, and family. "I am not an abuser; I needed the court to prove it. This has been one of the toughest times in my life and I am glad it is over." Vusi told ZiMoja, adding that his work has suffered immensely because of this. "The damage cannot be undone but I walk freely knowing that I have been cleared. It has been more than a year of back-and-forth travels, but it was worth me fighting to prove I am innocent, for my kids, and for the image that I have worked so hard to build." He, however, did not wish to comment on the state of his relationship with his wife, and Palesa could not be reached for comment. Vusi and Palesa have three children, two sons and a daughter. Like Vusi, Palesa is an entrepreneur and together, they founded My Growth Fund, which identifies, nurtures, and helps finance black entrepreneurs.