M-Net and Mr Somizi Mhlongo met to discuss his role on Idols SA in light of the allegations made against him. “We have reached a mutual agreement that Mr Mhlongo will take some time off to deal with his personal circumstances until this matter has been resolved.” – M-Net.
However, Viewers will still see Somizi Mhlongo on their screens until Sunday, 22 August 2021, as the audition shows for Idols SA Season 17 were pre-recorded.
The famed radio host and choreographer has been removed from the Idols SA judging panel following allegations of sexual assault and abuse levelled against him by his estranged husband Mohale Motaung.
At this time, Corporate sponsors of Mhlongo have yet to come forth with their input on the scandal surrounding the star.From his most recent social media posts, it seems 46-year-old is still booked and busy, since he is scheduled for an appearance at a brunch event on Women’s Day, at The Prestige in Nelspruit.
He did issue a direct response to the claims made by Motaung, though. In a statement posted on his social media pages, Mhlongo categorically denied all claims of abuse levelled against him.
“Our relationship had its ups and downs but I have never been physically or knowingly emotionally abusive towards my estranged husband. I vehemently deny the allegations of criminal acts towards him and would like to clear my name of that defamation. What I am going to state, however, is that we had one altercation in which I had to defend myself and both of us were physically hurt by the other,” he wrote.
Mhlongo also denied claims that he had actively controlled Motaung in so far as preventing the 26-year-old from pursuing opportunities that would remove the financial dependence he allegedly had on the radio host.
“There have been publications of stories related to our sex life and a lot of what has been said is absolutely untrue. These are very personal [and] private matters, and I would like to keep it as such,” he added.
Mhlongo confirmed that most of what was alleged in the leaked audio recording is being pursued by his legal team albeit it remains unclear, at this stage, if he will be approaching the courts to file defamatory charges against Motaung.
