Since he started his career in the spotlight, the focus has been on anything but his voice.
He's had some controversies following him, but he seemed well on the way to a great career again. Until now.
Two weeks after Paxton Fielies won as Idols SA season 13, and he was the runner-up, he refused to attend the post-show press conferences and media appearances. Since then, things haven't been rosy for him.
In 2017, Idols SA finalist Mthokozisi Ndaba (30) was held in custody for allegedly physically assaulting his partner.
He later admitted to having an alcohol problem and was getting some help.
Mthokozi has lost several sponsorships, gigs, and a record label deal.
He opened up about suffering from depression. Last year, he scored an acting gig on the Mzansi Magic film Zimele and things were looking good for him.
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Now Mthokozisi is in hot water again after allegedly raping a 24-year-old female from KwaMashu in Kwa-Zulu Natal after a night out at a carwash.
“I met him at a carwash on 7 August at around 2am. I didn’t feel like going home. I knew one of the guys he was with, I think they hired him because he had a bus. He had been drinking and smoking weed through the night. I was out with friends. I did not know he was famous. But I heard people say after we started speaking,” the alleged victim tells Drum.
“He was driving an H1 bus and offered me a lift home.”
The woman says there were about 15 other people in the vehicle, and he decided to drop them off first.
“He dropped the people first and said he would drop me last because he wanted us to chat. I just assumed he was flirtatious.”
The woman says Mthokozisi said he wanted to drive by a park he usually goes to.
“It was around 6am. It was a little bit uncomfortable, but I didn’t say anything about it. When we arrived at the park, he parked the car. The park was deserted, and he asked to sit at the back with me so we can chat nicely.”
The woman says when he got to the back seat, he told her he fancied her. He said he likes me and asked to kiss me.
"I just treated it as jengomuntu ongishelayo. I was uncomfortable but I allowed him to kiss me,” she says.
“After I said now we kissed can you take me home, he ignored my request. He said he wanted to kiss me some more. I did not want to, and I told him I’m not uncomfortable. Wacasuka (he got angry),” she says.
“I asked ‘are you upset because I don’t want to kiss you?' and he became aggressive,” she says.
“He became even angrier and it’s like he changed. He kept touching me and then he took off my pants.”
The woman says she tried to fight him and open the door, but he was too powerful.
“I tried to fight. I begged him to let me go and he carried on. I don’t know when he took off my pants. I was wearing sweatpants, an orange jersey, a hoodie, and sneakers. He was aggressive. From there, he said nothing but just kept on touching me. I knew that even if I fight, he was going to have his way with me because he was stronger. I decided to give in, so I don’t get hurt,” she says.
“I asked him if he was going to use protection to rape me and he kept quiet. I tried to scream but the park was deserted. He carried (on) and I asked him to use protection and he refused. I just gave in; I didn’t fight, and he came inside of me.”
The woman says after he was done, he apologised.
“He said sorry, he couldn’t help himself, he was very horny. He got out of the car naked and got dressed outside. This park seemed like he was used to it. He got in the driver’s seat and asked me if I have money for cigarettes, but I said no.”
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After the ordeal, the woman says Mthokozisi then drove her home.
“In the car, he took out a banky of weed and told me to crush it for him. I tried to crush it while shaking and gave it back to him because I didn’t know how.”
The woman says she was afraid of him knowing where she stays so she asked to be dropped at her cousin's place a few houses away from her place.
“We passed where I stay because I live alone and didn’t want him to know that. I asked him to drop me at my cousin’s place who lives a few houses away from me. He dropped me off but stayed in the car for 10 or so minutes after I got inside the house,” she says.
“I don’t know why he was parked outside for so long. He also didn’t take my number. When I got in the house, I told my cousin that he had just raped me. They said I must go open a case. But I didn’t want to, I was tired. I stayed for a few minutes and decided to then go to the police station after they took me to the hospital where I did some tests. I didn’t do anything.”
The woman says she was afraid of people saying she is looking for clout but decided that the medical examination would show she wasn’t lying.
“He felt so entitled to my body as to rape me and still ejaculate in me. I was so disgusted.“
Mthokozisi has since been arrested and let out on R1 500 bail after appearing at the Ntuzuma Magistrate court on 10 August 2022 and his next court date will be on 30 September 2022.
“The police arrested him the same Sunday after I came out of hospital for checks, and he received bail.”
SAPS Spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that a rape case had been opened against a 30-year-old male and he will appear in court on 30 September.
Mthokozisi has informed Drum that he is not in a good space to talk.
“I am not in a good space to talk or discuss this at the moment.”
