‘It’s so embarrassing and demeaning’: Mangaliso Ngema opens up about rape charges that were withdrawn by NPA

Rape charges against seasoned actor Mangaliso Ngema have been withdrawn by the NPA. 

He was charged with rape by a family member and appeared at the Randburg magistrate’s court on June 9 2022 and was released on bail. 

The case was later withdrawn and Mangaliso took to his Instagram and announced the news expressing his gratitude to people who were on his side while the matter was before the courts.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, the actor said he was relieved.

“It is something that I expected, it's just that it took long because the NPA was taking its time. Every time we appear they ask for postponement because they were still busy with investigations but after they’ve done their investigations and spoke to a number of people and made up their minds.”

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) South Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed the news. 

“The case was withdrawn after evidence emerged, convincing the prosecution that there were no prospects of a successful prosecution.”

Speaking to TshisaLIVE in 2022 when the allegations arose, he denied them saying that his family member had been “showing signs of mental and spiritual instability” since the beginning of May.

He said he took the allegations and social media trolls hard.

“Once you’ve been charged you are guilty until proven innocent especially with social media. So it’s just been a very painful journey for me. I’ve never been violent with anyone and I’ve never been that kind of person ... Only for me, at my age to be charged for the first time in my life.”

Mangaliso said he was working on doing a podcast he said he wants to help men who find themselves in a similar position. 

“There are many men, even my industry colleagues, who doubted me and were confused by the whole thing and a lot of them who wanted me to be found guilty. So I just want to use my skill and talent as a broadcaster to highlight these problems, that’s the best thing I can do in these situations.”

“I’m really relieved because it’s not nice being dragged to court and having to stand in front of a magistrate. It’s so embarrassing and so demeaning and for someone like me who’s in the film industry. This thing put a final nail in my coffin and it killed my career in a bad way. I’m just lucky that I was able to latch onto something else and continue being able to sustain myself and my family but it’s a really painful thing to go through.”

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