By: Natasha Archary

Sizok’thola presenter Xolani Maphanga and show director/bodyguard Bongani Mkhabela have been granted bail of R5 000 each.
Maphanga (39) and Mkhabela (33) are facing 3 counts of attempted murder and trespassing which is a schedule 5 offence.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the two together with other crew members of Moja Love went to the home of a woman in Soshanguve and allegedly assaulted her.
The NPA reports that Maphanga and Mkhabela were looking for drugs at the woman’s home, and claimed that she was selling drugs.
Mkhabela who is also the owner of Tshenolo private investigation company, and Maphanga handed themselves over to police on 09 April after a warrant of arrest was issued against them.
“It is alleged that on 14 March 2024, the two together with other crew members of Moja Love that have not been identified went to the complainant’s house in Soshanguve, looking for drugs that they allege the complainant was selling.
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 shocked her with a taser and further suffocated her brother.
Three days after the incident the woman reported the matter to the police. After investigations by the police, the two handed themselves over to the police on 09 April 2024 after a warrant of arrest was issued against them.”
The two denied committing the offences in court via an affidavit and asked to be released on bail.
Bail was granted at R5 000 and the conditions of bail is that neither Maphanga, nor Mkhabela should communicate directly or indirectly with witnesses.
Both men are also expected to report to the nearest police station once a week.
The matter was postponed to 21 May 2024 for further investigations.
This isn’t the first time a Sizok’thola presenter was implicated in using intimidation and violence to get confessions from suspected drug dealers
The show’s previous presenter, Xolani Khumalo was arrested after the death of a drug dealer.
Khumalo and other members of the Sizok’thola team were accused of adopting harsh interrogation tactics, such as waterboarding to allegedly force drug dealers to make confessions.
In July 2023, a suspected drug dealer passed away, prompting the channel to part ways with Khumalo.
Xolani Maphanga replaced Khumalo in April 2024.
Xolani Maphanga who will fill the role from April 2024.
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