Since joining the singing competition IDOLS SA, he has made several controversial headlines. The second runner-up for season 13 IDOLS SA finalist Mthokozisi Ndaba (31) once admitted to having an alcohol abuse problem, which he has since gotten help for. A few years ago, he was accused of physically assaulting his wife, who he has since reunited with. Soon after that, he was accused of raping a 24-year-old woman from KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal. The woman said at the time that Mthokozisi had offered her a lift home after a night of drinking at a local nightclub and the incident happened at a park near her home. She said after the alleged rape ordeal, he dropped her home as if nothing happened. 

BACK AND FORTH IN COURT

Mthokozisi tells ZiMoja the rape incident was all a lie. "I cheated on my wife. I know that was wrong. The girl and I agreed to have sex. It was consensual. She wanted me to give her R1500 and I refused,' he says. "Had she told me she was selling, I wasn't going to do anything with her. Besizigangela mina naye (we were messing around) and she wanted money.' He added that he has been going to court for the case since 2021. "I have gone to court seven times, and she has not shown up all seven times,' he says. "I will keep going to court to prove she is a liar until they drop the charges. I am not perfect, but I am not a rapist." 

PURSUING ACTING AND MAKING MUSIC

Last year, Mthokozisi picked up the pieces of his life and scored himself an acting gig on the Mzansi Magic film Zimele and things were looking good for him. He then landed a short stint on Uzalo where he played a corrupt cop who was later killed. "I would love to do more acting. It is something I really enjoy." The Hamba Juba singer says he is a changed man and his relationship with God is improving. "I am learning to understand that I am not perfect, but I am one of the chosen few who are talented. I must not be led astray by things of the world. I am doing my best to get closer to God and start on a clean slate.' 

POWER IN THE GOSPEL                                                               

His latest EP titled Nandipha is dedicated to his wife who has stuck by him through the hardships and features one gospel song. "That song changed my life and made me realise that I need to be grateful for what I have achieved,' he says. "It also woke me up to the fact that enemies will come for what I have. Look at the rape situation. Someone was trying to destroy my life and they will fail.'