
Scandal! star Nolwazi Ngubeni granted bail in fraud case
Ngubeni is expected to appear in court again on 26 September after her case was postponed for further investigations.
Actress and casting director Nolwazi Ngubeni has been granted R5 000 bail after appearing in the Brixton Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg today.
Ngubeni is accused of financial misconduct in her engagements with Durban-based film production company Rhythm World Productions, Joburg-based Masakhane Casting Agency and Make Your Art (Pty) Ltd in March 2024.
Ngubeni faces multiple charges
She faces charges of cyber forgery, fraud, theft and uttering – which consists of illegally and intentionally passing off a forged document to actually or potentially prejudice another party.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state alleged that the accused was hired by Rhythm World as a casting director and recruited people to perform in various productions.
'She kept money for herself'
'However, when Rhythm World paid her for the services, she allegedly kept the money for herself,' Mjondwana said.
'The NPA is committed to ensuring justice is served and will provide updates as the case progresses,' she added.
The Scandal! actress' case was postponed to 26 September for further investigations.
ALSO READ: 'After judging us, please pray for us': Uzalo actor Vusi Mdiniso denies rumours he's homeless
Her appearance earlier today follows her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on 26 March.
Theft allegations
According to reports, the actress is accused of pocketing R700 000 from the production of the TV series Queen Modjadji as its casting director.
Supporting actors cast in the Mzansi Magic show, which was produced by Rhythm World, allegedly complained about not being paid while Ngubeni allegedly paid herself extra.
It's alleged that the production company took legal action after her legal team's attempt to negotiate a repayment deal stalled.
The South African Film & Television Award-winning actress allegedly maintains innocence.
NOW READ: 'It was a labour of love': Helen Lebepe on embracing her heritage in 'Queen Modjadji'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Life imprisonment for rapist of elderly woman
THE Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the rape of a 64-year-old woman. The rape occurred in 2023 in the KwaCele area. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in the early hours of 18 January 2023, the complainant was asleep in her bed when she felt someone's presence in her room, and she awoke. NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the accused grabbed her and used his hand to cover her mouth to prevent her from screaming. ALSO READ: KZN marks International Children's Day with calls to end violence against children 'He told her he would do as he pleased, and thereafter, he would give her R200. He overpowered the complainant and raped her. Her screams alerted her daughter to the offence, and she came to her mother's rescue,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Ramkisson-Kara further revealed that the accused then climbed through the bedroom window and fled the scene. 'He was arrested shortly after, at his place of residence, after being pointed out by the complainant and her daughter. 'In aggravation of the sentence, Prosecutor Thanusha Govender told the court that the circumstances of the offence were inhumane. The complainant had a right to feel safe in the sanctity of her own home, however, the accused invaded her privacy. ALSO READ: No explosion, says Tronox after loud bang prompts evacuation 'Govender also handed in the J88 form, as well as a DNA analysis report. The accused was convicted accordingly, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm,' added Ramkisson-Kara. Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA welcomes the life sentence handed down. 'Elderly persons are protected by legislation due to their vulnerability as they age, and ought to be able to live in a peaceful and safe environment. Cases such as this underscore the NPA's commitment to ensuring justice is served, particularly in cases involving crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society, our elderly,' she said. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Shamila Batohi 'in hot water' over infiltration claims at NPA
ActionSA has called for the immediate removal of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shamila Batohi over 'prosecutorial failures'. The call comes as Batohi, the outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), admitted this week that there is political interference in the work of the NPA and that it has been infiltrated. Apart from that, the NPA has been in the spotlight for prosecutorial failures in major cases, especially the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and the extradition of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule's assistant Moroadi Cholota. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika , Batohi said the NPA has been infiltrated and captured by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. Batohi said they are having internal challenges; some prosecutors may not be aligned with the vision of really fighting for the rule of law in this country. However, she refused to divulge who had captured the institution, how it was captured, and the extent of the interference. Regarding failure to extradite the Gupta brothers, fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, and possibly Timothy Omotoso, Shamila Batohi said none of the extradition challenges in these cases are because of the NPA. ActionSA has since demanded a full parliamentary inquiry into the NPA's ongoing prosecutorial failures and the extent to which political interference has affected its operations. The party said the NPA has once again exposed its deep dysfunction, either through incompetence or wilful neglect, with the latest disgrace being the collapse of the asbestos corruption case involving former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, due to the unlawful and irregular handling of the extradition of his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota. 'This is not an isolated blunder, but part of a disturbing and entrenched pattern. The NPA has become a refuge for the politically connected, a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity,' ActionSA leader in Parliament, Atholl Trollip, said. 'Under Shamila Batohi's leadership, the NPA reels from one scandal to the next. South Africans are left wondering if these failures are merely a result of incompetence or if there is a deliberate agenda to protect the corrupt. Let us be clear that this is not just about one failed case. 'The pattern is undeniable. From the Phala Phala saga to the collapse of high-profile cases like Timothy Omotoso, Shepherd Bushiri, and the Estina Dairy Project, the list of prosecutorial disasters grows longer by the day. Most damning is the NPA's failure to secure the extradition of the Gupta brothers, nearly a decade after the Gupta Leaks shook the nation,' Trollip added. Following Batohi's interviews, the EFF said it has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, demanding a debate on Batohi's claims. The party said the crisis at the NPA is not only one of infiltration, it is one of denial, incompetence and weak leadership. 'No transformation of the criminal justice system will be possible if its leadership refuses to acknowledge its own failures while hiding behind platitudes of institutional rebuilding. 'It is clear that Batohi has never had a coherent plan, no control over her institution, and no political will to confront the forces undermining the rule of law in South Africa. Her tenure has been marked by delays, deflections, deterioration, and disappointment,' the EFF said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa defends BEE Woman awarded R580k after arrest
Here's your daily news update for 7 June 2025. An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In today's news update, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), while NDPP Shamila Batohi faces growing pressure to clarify her claims of political interference in the NPA. Additionally, a woman wrongfully detained for 10 days has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the SCA. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. News today: 7 June 2025 'Is it greed or jealousy?': Ramaphosa fires back at critics of BEE, Transformation Fund President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on 16 September 2022. Picture: AFP / Saul Loeb President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. Ramaphosa was speaking during his keynote address at the gala dinner of the Black Business Council's annual summit held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. Continue reading here Batohi could appear in parliament to explain allegations of corruption inside the NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi. Picture: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi to appear before parliament next week to give more details about allegations of rogue elements inside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Continue reading here Wrongfully arrested woman wins nearly R600k after ordeal that led her to consider suicide Picture: iStock A woman who endured a harrowing 10-day detention after a wrongful arrest has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Cynthia Nobuhle Khedama initially sued the Minister of Police for R1 million over her arrest and detention, Continue reading here Rebuild VBS, urges ANC treasurer-general VBS Mutual Bank customers at long queues outside the bank in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Picture: Gallo Images / Antonio Muchave ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa has pleaded with the Reserve Bank and National Treasury to assist the Vhembe community in Limpopo to rebuild the collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. More than 53 people have been charged for theft, corruption, fraud, money laundering, contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and racketeering for stealing and looting more than R2 billion of VBS money since 2018. Continue reading here R42m water storage facility installed, but taps run dry in Xanthia village A resident of Majakaneng Village fills up containers with water on 3 February 2015. Picture: Gallo Images / Sowetan / Veli Nhlapo A R42 million water reservoir tank built in Xanthia Village, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 10 years ago has never been used since its completion. This is according to the residents, who confirmed that the construction of the reservoir did not assist in bringing a sustainable water supply to the area. Continue reading here Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: K-word teacher loses labour case | Amerikaners' future uncertain | NPA sabotage claims