Court Appearance Sparks Controversy
On Thursday, 23 January, South African gqom star Babes Wodumo appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court as her highly-publicized assault trial commenced. The artist, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane-Maphumulo, faces charges for allegedly assaulting Philile “Philly” Mhlongo, a Durban designer, in an incident dating back to 12 March 2024.
Arriving at court dressed in an all-black ensemble, Babes was accompanied by her father, Bishop Welcome Simelane. Her outfit featured a black leather coat, a long-sleeved shirt, matching trousers, and knee-high boots, giving her a striking courtroom presence.
Babes has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
## Incident Captured on Video
The alleged assault reportedly occurred at Philile’s business in West Walk, located on Durban’s West Street. According to Philile, Babes struck her in the face with an open hand during the altercation. She also testified that the incident was captured on the venue’s security cameras.
Philile explained in court:
“After the incident, which was recorded by cameras, I requested video footage from the business place supervisor. She showed me the footage but couldn’t download it for me. I then recorded the footage on my cellphone, transferred it to my USB, and gave it to the investigating officer.”
Defence Disputes Video Evidence
Babes Wodumo’s attorney, Thula Mlondo, challenged the legitimacy of the video evidence, questioning the process used to obtain it. This prompted Magistrate Ntokozo Myeni to request that the state prosecutor, Ntokozo Ngema, present the video footage in court. However, the prosecutor revealed that she did not have the video as the defence had not previously raised objections during the pre-trial conference.
As a result, the magistrate postponed the trial to Monday, 27 January, allowing the state time to prepare and present the disputed footage.
Trial Timeline and Proceedings
The three-day trial officially began on 23 January and is scheduled to continue on 27 January and 7 February. The court proceedings have already attracted significant public interest, with many awaiting updates on the case’s developments.
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## Public Reactions and Ongoing Drama
Babes Wodumo’s legal troubles have consistently made headlines, with this case adding another chapter to her tumultuous career. In the past, delays in her court cases—such as those attributed to her lawyer’s health issues—have drawn public criticism.
Meanwhile, the absence of crucial video evidence in this trial has raised questions about the state’s preparedness, leaving fans and critics eagerly awaiting the outcome.