South African musician and Gqom star Babes Wodumo is facing renewed controversy after an Uber driver publicly accused her of failing to pay for a series of rides dating back to 2019. The driver, Percy Bhengu, took to her social media recently, demanding payment of R900, which he claims is still outstanding after multiple trips provided to the star and her sister, Nondumiso Simelane.
The Beginning of the Dispute
According to Bhengu, the incident began six years ago when he was working as a full-time Uber driver in Durban. Speaking to Sunday World, he recalled how Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, first contacted him to drive her to a gig in Pongola. That particular trip, he says, went smoothly, and he was paid.
However, it was a second series of trips shortly afterward that became the source of the ongoing dispute. Bhengu explained that Babes and her sister hired him again to take them to DJ Tira’s event at Wiseman’s Car Wash in KwaMashu, Durban, where the Afrotainment crew were having a photoshoot.
“I picked them up from Babes’ house in Westville. Along the way, she asked me for money to buy sanitary pads, promising she would pay me back after the trip,” Bhengu said.
A Sudden Change of Plans
Upon arrival at the event venue, Babes Wodumo reportedly decided not to go inside, complaining that she wasn’t wearing makeup and didn’t feel dressed appropriately for the occasion. Bhengu then drove her back to her home, but the promised payment was not made.
Still hopeful, Bhengu agreed to another trip later that evening, this time to The Sails at the Durban Shaka Marine. However, he says that after completing that trip, he never saw the singer or her sister again—and has yet to receive a single cent for the transportation, fuel costs, or the borrowed money.
Six Years Without Payment
“It may not sound like much, but that’s my money. With interest, who knows how much it would be today?” Bhengu lamented. “No payment, no refund, just nothing. My time, my fuel, my money—gone.”
He added that his experience with Babes Wodumo was a harsh lesson about dealing with celebrities. “You know the excitement of working with celebrities, thinking they’ll respect you, maybe even tip you? Turns out, it was all just a fairy tale.”
Despite numerous attempts to contact the Simelane sisters, Bhengu claims he has been blocked from all platforms. He considered taking the matter to the Small Claims Court but hesitated, fearing legal costs could outweigh the debt he’s owed.
A Warning to Others
Now, Bhengu is speaking out to warn other drivers and service providers. “I just want what I worked for. Sadly, they’ve since blocked me. I’ve tried everything to reach them.”
When approached for comment, Babes Wodumo’s sister and manager, Nondumiso Simelane, declined to speak, simply saying, “No comment.”
The incident has sparked a mixed reaction online, with many sympathizing with Bhengu and others urging him to pursue legal action.