Amapiano producer and club DJ Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, better known as DJ Maphorisa, was put in an unlawful position Sunday afternoon after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Thuli Phongolo.
The incident was announced in a statement by Phongolo from the Sandton Police Department.
Gender-based violence took place at the former Generations: The Legacy actress' apartment in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The affair began when Phongolo confronted Maphorisa about a heated argument the night before at a gig he was booked for.
It is unclear if the two were booked to perform together at the same venue, but Phongolo's testimony reveals that they started arguing in front of people.
Phongolo said in the statement:
On Sunday, 2023/5/7, at about 12 pm, I was at my place of residence with my boyfriend, Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, better known as DJ Maphorisa. I confronted him so that we can talk about our argument, which happened the previous night during his gig.
She told police that Maphorisa became aggressive and punched her in the face when she confronted him.
Phongolo explained in her statement: Maphorisa became aggressive and started hitting her chest with his fist. She told police he took her to the balcony after beating her in her apartment. According to Phongolo, Maphorisa hugged her, took her out onto the balcony, and aggressively grabbed her by the neck.
Phongolo added that he repeatedly elbowed her against the balcony while fighting over her phone, which he took from her. The actress and DJ said she called her manager after he gave her the phone, who took her to the police station and filed a domestic violence case against him.
According to police who saw her on her way to the police station, Phongolo suffered severe bruising to her neck.
It's unclear what caused the altercation, but sources say the two had severe problems in their relationship.
A music industry source claimed this wasn't the first time they had a heated argument. Prior reports reveal that the couple fought in early December after allegations of infidelity surfaced. They got into another fight last month but never came to the police station.
Maphorisa is scheduled to appear in Lundberg Magistrate's Court on Monday on assault charges.
A source near the pair said Maphorisa asked him to call a lawyer in the police cell where he was being held.
Maphorisa has been trying to negotiate police bail, according to a close source.
