Gqom singer, Babes Wodumo, real name Bongekile Simelane today appeared at the Durban Magistrate Court on charges of assault. This is after she had an altercation with fashion designer, Philly Mhlongo from Sk’Dee Designs at her Durban studio. After delays in the matter due to video footage of the incident, the prosecutor had arranged for the evidence footage to be played in court however Babe’s legal team disputed it and the matter was moved to the next court date on 21 February 2025.

THE FIGHT

The altercation between Babes Wodumo and Philly started over unpaid money for hired garments. The Domoroza singer is seen in the video that went viral on social media screaming at Philly, who responds, "Fokof! This is not the first time. Babe’s dancers owe me. I never said she owes me." The designer claimed that Babes Wodumo’s dancers Smiso Zulu and Sanele Smallz, have not paid for the garment hired for a performance and Babes is accountable as they work for her. Philly said they hired out the clothes for a performance at the IFP manifesto launch over the weekend and did not have funds to pay immediately and left a deposit of R150. After a long argument, things turned physical, and security personnel intervened.

POSTPONED

Upon her first appearance at Durban Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 14 January the matter was postponed due to her lawyer, Thula Mlondo falling ill. In her appearance on 23 January, her legal representative challenged video footage, presented to the court, how it was obtained, and pleaded ‘not guilty’ on the charges of assault. The designer accused Babes of allegedly hitting her on the face with an open hand. Magistrate Ntokozo Myeni postponed the case to Monday, 27 January due to the video footage not being available for viewing.