News24.com | Thuli Phongolo and DJ Maphorisa warn of legal action against anyone defaming them

Thulisile Phongolo.

• Actress Thuli Phongolo and her music producer boyfriend, Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, have warned people not to make defamatory statements about them.
• The couple intend to pursue legal action against anyone who does.
• Phongolo laid assault charges against Sekowe but she has since dropped the charges.

Actress Thuli Phongolo and her music producer boyfriend, Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, have warned that they will pursue legal action against anyone who makes "defamatory or false statements" about the assault matter she opened against him.

This comes after Phongolo had Sekowe, better known as DJ Maphorisa, arrested for allegedly assaulting her on 7 May. 

He appeared in court on 8 May and was granted R4 000 bail.

But it emerged in court that Phongolo had filed a withdrawal statement.

In a joint statement released by the pair on Monday night and posted on their individual social media accounts, Phongolo said she had dropped the charges against Sewoke. 

Their legal representatives said:

"The matter has received mixed public attention, causing great emotional stress. It is on this basis that the parties have elected to resolve this matter privately through their respective management and legal teams.

"Consequently, Phongolo has since withdrawn the charges against Sekowe," they added.

They added that both parties noted with concern disparaging, defamatory and (in some instances) "untrue remarks, statements and reports emanating from the incident and view these in a serious light".

READ | Actress Thuli Phongolo withdraws assault case against DJ Maphorisa

They added that Phongolo and Sekowe wanted to "return to their respective fields of work after the now-concluded private resolution of this matter".

"Neither of the parties has any intention to allow this private matter to impact their respective or the other party's brand and professional interests.

"They request the public to give them the time and space to return to their work unhindered," the representatives said, adding that no further statements would be made.

Sekowe is due back in court on 14 June.