Mampintsha due back in court over Babes assault

Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo  is expected back in the Pinetown Magistrate's court on Wednesday on charges relating to the assault of his girlfriend Babes Wodumo.

Mampintsha handed himself over to police in March after a video was posted on Babes’ Instagram live, in which a man can be seen slapping her. He was released on R2,000 bail.

At the time of his first court appearance Mampintsha - who was facing a barrage of social media sentiment over the alleged abuse - told journalists outside the courthouse that he wanted the police to investigate Babes (Bongekile Simelane) as well. 

"I want the police to deal with her like they dealt with me. People must say what they were saying to me to her," he said. He then opened a counter assault case against her.

The pair split up after the assault video. However social media was up in arms in recent weeks after rumours made the rounds that the two were back together.

Last week Mampintsha's manager, Lindo Buthelezi, confirmed to TshisaLIVE that they had reunited, and that Mampintsha had dropped his assault case against Babes.

Buthelezi would not comment on whether Babes had dropped the charges against Mampintsha, but this week a source told Sunday Sun that the Wololo star intended to do so.

However, NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara poured cold water on these claims, saying they know nothing about such developments. 

"We have noted the media reports but have had no indication that Babes intends to withdraw the charges or that she has already. As far as we are concerned, Mampintsha will appear in court on Wednesday. We have not been told otherwise," she said.

Kara added that if Babes intended to withdraw the charges, she would need to make the court aware of this on Wednesday. "We will be going to court because he will be appearing. We will hear in court," she said.

Meanwhile Babes will also be expected in court on Thursday on a separate assault charge relating to an incident that took place in Umbilo.