…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media.
DJ Maphorisa, a well-known Amapiano producer and disc jockey, has been arrested by the South African police force for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Thuli Phongolo.
Phongolo accused Maphorisa of assaulting her at her apartment in Sandton, Johannesburg, after they had an argument.
In her statement to the police, Phongolo said that she confronted Maphorisa about their argument that happened the previous night during his gig.
However, Maphorisa became aggressive and punched her with his fists on her chest.
He also allegedly grabbed her aggressively by the neck and kept hitting her with his elbow on the balcony while they were fighting for her phone, which he had taken from her.
After he gave her the phone, Phongolo called her manager, who took her to the police station to open a case of domestic violence against Maphorisa.
The police who saw her walking to the police station confirmed that Phongolo sustained serious bruises on her neck.
In her statement, she said she sustained bruises on her neck, chest, arms and right cheek.
It remains unclear what triggered the argument, but sources say the two have been having serious problems in their relationship.
Maphorisa is set to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday to face charges of assault.
The arrest of the popular DJ has sparked outrage on social media, with many South Africans expressing their concern about the growing cases of gender-based violence in the country.
The police have been urged to ensure that justice is served in this case, and to send a strong message to others who may be involved in such crimes.
Many celebrities and public figures have also spoken out against gender-based violence, and have called for action to be taken to end this scourge in society.
It is worth noting that South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world.
According to the country’s police service, more than 177,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported between 2019 and 2020.
This figure is believed to be just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported due to fear of reprisals, stigma, and a lack of trust in the justice system.
The government has been urged to do more to tackle gender-based violence, including providing support services for survivors, increasing awareness, and strengthening the legal framework to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.