Kelly Khumalo and manager Kgothatso Tsotetsi in turmoil over financial allegations

27 May 2025 - 13:23
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Kelly Khumalo sent her manager packing after alleged misuse of funds.
Kelly Khumalo sent her manager packing after alleged misuse of funds.
Image: Veli Nhlapo

Award-winning singer Kelly Khumalo and her manager Kgothatso Tsotetsi are at the centre of a storm after accusations of financial mismanagement.

It is alleged that the Qinisela hitmaker sent Tsotetsi packing two months ago, and he's been struggling.

“Kgothatso has been helping himself with Kelly's booking funds. I don't know, maybe he was taking the money as a form of outstanding repayments as he's the one responsible for dressing her and her band members,” a source alleged.

“Them parting ways is [evidence] that they [are] no longer on speaking terms,” another source alleged.

Kgothatso confirmed to the Sunday Times that he no longer works for Kelly. “We just decided to take our separate routes. I have stopped managing her, dressing her and being her creative director. There wasn't any mismanagement of funds. I think we started not working together since early May.

“If Kelly feels I've stolen her money, it's fine. I've been managing her for 17 years. Just that I had to focus on my clothing business, so I'm focusing on a lot.”

In 2021 Kelly allegedly failed to perform at the South African Heroines Awards in Bloemfontein despite receiving a R30,000 payment upfront.

Event organiser Caroline Mosiamo claims Kelly arrived at the venue but refused to perform, leading to demands for a refund.

Efforts to reach Kelly for comment failed as she was unavailable.


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