Businessman Thami Ndlala has denied the intimidation and extortion charges against him. He spoke at a press briefing held by the Thami Ndlala Foundation on Thursday, 22 October.
Ndlala was arrested on 12 October at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. He was released on R10,000 bail, according to IOL. The criminal case was postponed to 20 November for further investigation.
“The criminal matter brought against me is a pure fabrication,” Ndlala said.
The case comes from a legal fight with media personality Thandi Dora “Blue” Mbombo. Mbombo alleges that Ndlala made death threats against her for months. She also alleges verbal abuse, emotional torment and threats against her child.
Ndlala said these claims were completely made up. He called the case a planned effort to damage his name.
He said he flew back to South Africa from a business trip overseas. He came to attend a protection order hearing involving Mbombo. He said police took him into custody when he arrived at court.
Ndlala and his lawyers said there were problems with the arrest warrant. They said it cited a section of an intimidation law that does not exist.
He said he had offered to cooperate and give a statement before his arrest. He said officers turned this down and acted on a statement that was not backed up.
According to Ndlala, the state’s docket includes more than 60 audio recordings, phone numbers and screenshots of text messages. He said the voices on the recordings speak Sepedi and deep isiZulu. He said he does not speak these, and he denied disguising his voice.
At the briefing, the foundation announced a R9 million pledge to SP Attorneys. The money will pay for free legal help for poor people facing unfair or possibly unlawful arrests. Razeen Cassim of SP Attorneys confirmed the deal.
The foundation also pledged R1 million for groups fighting gender-based violence. This money will also help victims of injustice who cannot pay for lawyers.
IOL asked Ndlala if the pledge was an attempt to buy goodwill. He rejected this. He said he met a young man in the holding cells who could not afford a lawyer.
“It is not a form of buying our way into anything; it is rather to extend assistance to people in need, people who get arrested for unjust reasons or ulterior motives,” Ndlala said.
He also said he would no longer deal directly with women who ask the foundation for help. He said his team would handle this work instead.
“It’s a sensitive subject and a sensitive gender, so I would rather step back while ensuring necessary support remains available,” he said.
Ndlala raised concerns about police at Midrand SAPS and provincial leaders. He alleged that people with provincial links used political influence to rush his arrest.
He called on National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Gauteng leaders to step in. He asked them to take the docket from Midrand SAPS so the investigation stays fair.
Ndlala said the public attacks have hurt his family. He said this was painful as a father raising two daughters.
The briefing took place just before his interview on Podcast and Chill with MacG. Ndlala is married to radio and TV presenter Lerato Kganyago. He is also planning a four-day concert at Ndlala Mall in December.
His case returns to court on 20 November.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Entertainment. Image: IOL Entertainment. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.