Popular DJ Sithelo Shozi is in high spirits as she forges ahead with her attempt to get a court protection order against the father of her two children, Royal AM chairperson Andile Mpisane.
Sithelo is the former girlfriend to Andile and the pair share two children together.
The case is set to be heard at the Durban magistrate's court on Wednesday, and the DJ's lawyer Mabu Marweshe said the protection order brought by Sithelo is for Andile to refrain from calling and abusing her.
“We are told that it was previously postponed because they wanted Sithelo to sign a consent for them to approach her service provider for a call recording. I mean, what nonsense is that? Since when do service providers record our calls?”
In early August, the socialite and DJ alleged she had been a victim of gender-based violence (GBV) by Andile.
The mother of three also revealed she had partnered with the NPO Women For Change to raise awareness about GBV, and started a petition to be granted a protection order for her children’s safety.
Attached to her claims (posted on her Instagram stories at the time) were images of her swollen face for her fans to see, as well as an audio clip believed to be a telephonic discussion between the now exes, wherein a man she identified as Andile could be heard belittling her and hurling insults at her.
Ahead of the court hearing, her legal representation said she was positive.
“Sithelo is in high spirits and she is fighting for her rights. She has been getting threats on text messages lately from an unknown number. We can only suspect one person but can’t say who it is at present. Women are abused, the law has been created for them to be protected. GBV is a very serious matter,” said Mabu.
“Our instruction for tomorrow is to have the protection order permanently granted. We will proceed from there further as this is not only about the calls from Mr Mpisane but very deep. We will inform you later as to how we will be proceeding.”
The abuse allegations landed Sithelo, MaMkhize and Andile on the SA Twitter trends, with tweeps waiting for Andile and his mother to share their version of events.
Taking to her Instagram timeline to set the record straight earlier this year, MaMkhize said she and her family had never witnessed the alleged abuse.
“I would like to categorically state that neither myself nor my family have been witness to any alleged abuse against Sithelo and further [would] like to highlight that these allegations are false and defamatory,” the statement read.
The business mogul said in her statement that she would be taking legal action.
“Given the nature, severity and extent of these allegations, the matter has been referred to our attorneys, and from now henceforth they will be handling everything in relation to this matter. It’s of the utmost importance that we let the law take its course in this regard.”
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