Controversial South African blogger Musa Khawula, contrary to recent social media rumors suggesting his death, is very much alive but currently incarcerated. On Tuesday, Khawula made a brief court appearance while clad in orange prison attire. His appearance was cut short as the court decided to postpone the case to grant him time to secure new legal representation, following the abandonment by his previous lawyer.
Khawula is currently serving a 60-day sentence for contempt of court. His legal troubles began when he was arrested at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on July 9, during a hearing related to a murder charge. This arrest followed his failure to appear in a Gauteng court, which compounded his legal issues.
### Legal Battles and Controversies
The blogger’s legal woes have been further complicated by a series of allegations and court orders stemming from his controversial posts. In May, Khawula made serious accusations against Nozuko Mbalula, the spouse of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, and her business associate Michelle Perrow. He claimed via the social media platform X that Mbalula and Perrow had engaged in bribery to secure R150-million in government tenders from 2013 to 2019.https://www.instagram.com/p/C-5q036I7ZC/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
These allegations led to the issuance of an interdict against Khawula, compelling him to remove the defamatory statements from his X feed within 48 hours of the court order. Additionally, Khawula was ordered to pay damages and cover the legal costs associated with the application, as confirmed by court documents shared by Fikile Mbalula on X.
Despite being ordered to pay R1-million in damages, Khawula publicly stated that he did not possess the financial means to comply with the court’s demand. This statement has exacerbated his legal troubles, leading to further complications.
### Pending Murder Case
In addition to his current legal challenges, Khawula faces a pending murder case involving Wandile Khambule. Reports from August 2022 indicate that Khawula was involved in a violent incident on March 4, 2022, when he appeared at the residence of Khambule’s girlfriend, Sweetness Jaftha, in Vredenburg. Khawula reportedly arrived demanding to see Khambule, which has added another layer of severity to his ongoing legal issues.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape confirmed Khawula’s court appearance on Tuesday. The case has been remanded to September 2 for further judicial review and finalization.
As Khawula navigates through these numerous legal challenges, his current status remains a topic of intense public interest and media scrutiny.