South African rapper Mthembeni “Emtee” Ndevu has been released on R2,000 bail after spending 16 days behind bars, bringing a difficult chapter in his ongoing legal troubles to an end.
The rapper’s release took place on Wednesday at the Midrand magistrate’s court after his estranged wife, Nicole Chinsamy, informed the court that she wanted to withdraw the case against him.
Emtee had been incarcerated at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre after being accused of violating a protection order that was granted in favour of Chinsamy in 2023.
The protection order prohibited the rapper from verbally abusing or harassing Chinsamy, including through social media. It also prevented him from publishing material about her online, whether the posts were positive or negative.
During proceedings on Wednesday, Chinsamy told the court that she had decided to withdraw the matter because she wanted to close the chapter and move forward with her life.
Emtee, who exercised his constitutional right to remain silent, was represented by advocate Kwena Manamela. An affidavit was read on his behalf, outlining the financial difficulties experienced by his family during his incarceration.
According to the affidavit, Emtee’s parents, Lumikile and Phathiswa Ndevu, as well as his three minor children, had been financially affected by his absence. Rental and school fees had reportedly not been paid while he was behind bars.
The court ultimately granted the rapper R2,000 bail. His release came with strict conditions, including that he must not breach the existing protection order.
He was also ordered not to publish anything about Chinsamy on social media, either directly or indirectly. In addition, any material he had previously posted about her was required to be removed.
Following the rapper’s release, his father, Lumikile Ndevu, expressed relief and happiness that his son was finally back home.
Speaking about the situation, Emtee’s father said the family could now breathe again and begin getting their lives back on track.
He explained that many things had effectively come to a standstill while the rapper was incarcerated and that his release would allow the family to resume their responsibilities.
Ndevu also addressed concerns from Emtee’s supporters, particularly those who have been following the rapper’s legal difficulties and expressing opinions about his situation online.
The rapper’s father appeared hopeful that the experience had served as an important wake-up call for his son.
He said he believed Emtee had “learnt his lesson”, describing the experience as an eye-opener for the musician. ([TimesLIVE][1])
The bail conditions mean Emtee will have to exercise caution regarding his interactions with Chinsamy, particularly on social media.
For now, his release allows him to return to his family and professional commitments after more than two weeks behind bars.
The development has also attracted attention from fans, who have closely followed the rapper’s legal troubles and his return home. His father’s comments suggest the family is hoping the latest episode will mark an opportunity for the musician to move forward and focus on rebuilding his personal and professional life.
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