Tol A$$ Mo launches initiative for men falsely accused of rape: 'I am not standing to benefit by assisting'

After being acquitted of a rape charge levelled against him, Mongezi “Tol A$$ Mo” Mahlangu has launched an initiative to assist other men in South Africa who have fallen victim to false allegations about them.

“There has been a major shortage of support for men in similar cases. The fact there is such a high number of rape cases in the country makes it difficult for society to be sympathetic towards men in cases where they are maliciously and falsely accused, or when they are proven innocent,” he told TshisaLIVE.

In 2020, model and actress Lerato alleged on Twitter that the comedian had raped her in 2014 when they were working on a television production in Paarl, Western Cape,  allegations which the court concluded were “poorly fabricated”, according to a statement shared by Tol A$$ Mo.

While social media might have quick advantages, it has also cons as people use the platform to spread false allegations and Tol A$$ Mo wants to put an end to it all.

He has partnered with private investigator Mike Bolhuis, who will take on each case.

“We have very strict rules and regulations when we take cases. We don't make it emotional, we don't make it sensational but we rather post the truth and leave the information out there for the public to make an informed decision,” Bolhuis said.

Tol A$$ Mo took to his social media timeline to make a call for people to send in their inquires. 

“Every inquiry is free. Mike and I are registering an NGO which will be able to assist should investigations need to be done because it is a costly procedure, but I am not standing to benefit by assisting. Mike and his team will be handling the cases. I am here as a vessel for men to find it easier to open up.

"What we are doing is taking a stand to say men can speak for themselves and be in a position where they state their case so they can be judged by a court of law and not be lambasted and taken through social ridicule because this brings about emotional trauma and mental health issues,” he said.

Speaking of the impact of the allegations against him, Tol A$$ Mo recalled having to change his children's schools because they were being bullied, relocating from their Sandton home for their safety, undergoing a spiritual transition and having to a get help at a  mental health institution. 

“It affected my mental health to a point where I ended up in a mental health facility where I had to be rehabilitated mentally and be given medication, which was very difficult,”

He plans to help victims recover from the emotional trauma they might have experienced.

“We are going to be assisting men in terms of their mental health. My wife is putting together events where we put wellness together with mental healing at an event so people can walk away from a wholistic wellness experience.”