In a sensational twist worthy of a dramatic television series, The Wife star Sipho Ndlovu finds himself at the centre of a scandal after his recent arrest on assault charges. This development comes hot on the heels of his girlfriend, Thandeka Mhlanga, being granted bail. The couple is making waves in the headlines after they filed criminal charges against each other in a dramatic turn of events.
Whispers and rumours suggest that this legal showdown was sparked by a fiery altercation between the two last weekend. Thandeka Mhlanga claims that the celebrated actor assaulted her after she discovered him in the company of another woman. In a counterclaim, Sipho Ndlovu accuses Thandeka of assault, crimen injuria, and defamation of character.
Despite the serious allegations, Ndlovu has denied any wrongdoing, swiftly filing a police report that led to Mhlanga’s arrest. The actress appeared before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where she was released on R1,000 bail. Her case has been postponed to August 21 for further investigation. Notably, Sipho was present during her court appearance, only for Thandeka to file a counter charge against him soon after her release.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sipho Ndlovu’s manager, Alexis Tshangana, confirmed his arrest to the media, describing the situation as the actions of a “bitter ex-girlfriend.” Tshangana stated, “I can confirm that Sipho has been arrested. This bitter ex-girlfriend opened a counter charge against him.”
The drama escalated when Thandeka Mhlanga took to social media on July 16 to accuse Ndlovu of gender-based violence. In a heartfelt post, she shared images of her bruised eye with the caption, “Results of dating a weak man. Please share and repost.” The 32-year-old actress recounted the events leading up to the alleged assault, explaining that she went to Ndlovu’s residence after suspecting he was with someone else.
Mhlanga described her experience to the media, detailing how she was initially barred by security guards but eventually forced her way into Ndlovu’s estate. “When he finally answered my call, he pretended to be sleeping, but I could hear that he was not in bed. I then drove to his place, and when I arrived there, the security refused to let me in until I forcefully let myself inside the estate,” she said.
Upon her arrival, Thandeka alleges that Ndlovu was already outside and that his actions confirmed her suspicions. “He blocked me from entering the house, slapped me, and pushed me to the ground before throwing me out,” she recounted.
As this real-life drama continues to unfold, the public is reminded of the importance of addressing gender-based violence. For those in need of support, the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence National Command Centre is available at 0800 428 428, or by dialling 1207867# (free) for counselling and other services, including shelter.
Main Image: Bona Magazine
