SA: Cici not guilty of assaulting Arthur Mafokate

The verdict was made in a Johannesburg court on Monday after Mafokate laid counter charges of assault against Twala. Twala previously took Mafokate to court over an altercation in which he allegedly dragged her with his car.

In his submission, the singer alleged that Twala had hit him with a coat hanger and steel chair and bit his arms during the scuffle.

“We are happy that the court finally found that she was not guilty for the charges which were fabricated against her," Twala’s lawyer, William Sekgatja, told jounralists outside the court on Monday. "This is not a victory for Cici but for every woman where she is abused and you find that there is fabrication.”

Mafokate was recently removed from his position on the board of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). His fate still hangs in the balance regarding the altercation with Cici. He pleaded not guilty in March and the case was postponed due to a communication breakdown between Twala and the prosecutor. Twala had claimed that the prosecutor, who has since recused himself, did not know enough about the case.

Twala, who is claiming R2.5m ($190 000) in damages, sustained a broken pelvis and various other injuries. The singer says she was told by doctors that she may never bear children.

In another incident, the mother of kwaito artist Mdu Masilela’s child, Sibahle Dlamini, had her efforts to drop assault charges against the singer denied by the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). Dlamini opened a case of assault against Masilela in October last year who allegedly beat her in a domestic incident at the musician's Lyndhurst townhouse in Johannesburg.

Masilela was arrested and released on R5 000 bail after appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

“The NPA decided that the prosecution should continue notwithstanding the request for stopping prosecution by the complainant," NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said.

"We view domestic violence in a very serious light. Where we feel, it’s in the interest of justice that the case must continue. That’s exactly what will happen.”