by Thinus Ferreira
In shocking, leaked production recordings that have so far been kept secret and away from broadcast while it kept the veneer of a reality TV series fantasy intact, the reality star and actor Mohale Motaung slams and accuses his fellow reality personality and Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo of alleged violent physical abuse and that he threatened to kill him with a kitchen knife.
Somizi Mhlongo allegedly broke some of Mohale Motaung's ribs and almost knocked out teeth in a violent physical abuse incident in 2020; allegedly threatened Mohale with a kitchen knife, saying he would kill them both; and allegedly even tried to drive him off the road after an Idols afterparty.
Mohale Motaung and Somizi Mhlongo's tempestuous relationship has been marred by persistent rumours of infidelity and breakup ever since their over-the-top and tacky reality TV wedding series, Somizi & Mohale: The Union that was filmed for MultiChoice's Showmax video streamer in 2020.
Neither Mohale Motaung nor Somizi Mhlongo responded with any public statement by the time of publishing.
A media enquiry to M-Net's Mzansi Magic and Idols was referred to MultiChoice's corporate affairs division. MultiChoice on Tuesday told TVwithThinus that "We
are aware of the allegations made against Somizi Mhlongo. As a strong proponent
of a violence-free South Africa, we view these allegations seriously and are
giving them the attention they deserve".
This follows an explosive report in the Sunday tabloids detailing the contents of leaked production recordings made by the BarLeader TV production company, in which Mohale speaks of the alleged physical abuse and threats from Somizi, dating back its start to just 3 weeks after their troubled relationship began.
In leaked recordings of interviews with the producers of Somizi Mhlongo's Living the Dream with Somizi that was broadcast on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) Mohale Motaung explains how he had been fearful of Somizi Mhlongo when they exchange wedding vows during their garish Somizi & Mohale: The Union streamer special.
Mohale Motaung claims that Somizi Mhlongo broke some of his ribs and almost knocked out two teeth in a jealous rage during a physically violent domestic abuse incident in 2020 at their Johannesburg home.
Mohale Motaung says that he wants to divorce Somizi Mhlongo, isn't "in love with him" anymore, and claims in the Sunday World article that Somizi Mhlongo threatened him with a kitchen knife and allegedly said that he would kill them both.
Mohale Motaung claims that Somizi Mhlongo loves group sex and suggested threesome sex while they were on holiday in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and that Somizi allegedly asked multiple times to bring other sex partners home.
Mohale Motaung details the first alleged violent abuse incident that happened just three weeks into their relationship when Somizi allegedly "took a knife. I was about to exit, so he said to me 'if you exit I'm going to kill us both'. So, I took my keys and I ran. He grabbed the knife and said 'if you walk out, I'm going to stab you".
Mohale said that he was "shit scared and I walked back into the house".
Mohale Motaung also details how Somizi Mhlongo allegedly tried to force him off the road and bumped his car in an alleged road-rage incident after Mzansi Magic's Idols afterparty in 2018.
"By the time we got married, I was very scared of this person," Mohale Motaung says.
In January the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) slammed Somizi Mhlongo in a strongly-worded statement over his insults levelled against journalists.
Somizi attacked journalists after reports about his alleged infidelity and crumbling relationship and a legal battle over the canned Dinner at Somizi's TV show, after he was approached for comment but declined to comment.
SANEF said that Somizi's "actions have aggravated what is already a hostile working environment, especially for women journalists. This is a direct attack on media freedom in the country. Worldwide similar attacks are being meted out on journalists with the intent to silence their voices, especially that of women and the stories they tell."
"SANEF calls on Somizi Mhlongo to unreservedly apologise to these journalists and the public on all his social platforms for his unbecoming behaviour. He must call on his followers to stop harassing and intimidating them. Further, we call on the journalists to lay charges of intimidation and for MultiChoice to officially distance themselves from Mhlongo's comments."
