Gqom superstar Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle, facing assault charges in the Durban Magistrates Court.
This comes hot on the heels of a separate incident that saw a video of her exposing her “fat kuu kuu” go viral, sparking a wave of public discussion about grief and public image. The trial, scheduled for 14, 15, and 16 January, centres around an alleged assault on Durban designer Philly Mhlongo of SK Dee Designs on 28 February 2024.
The alleged incident took place at Mhlongo’s business premises. According to Mhlongo, the trouble began with a dispute over payment for clothing hired by Babes’ dancers.
“The dancers came to the shop on 28 February because they wanted to go to a gig. They didn’t have enough money to purchase the clothes. I insisted that they pay for the hired clothes. I wasn’t willing to give them anything without payment,” Mhlongo explained.
The dancers, she claimed, returned the clothes on 12 March in poor condition, accompanied by Babes, her bodyguard, and her father. “They were drunk. Babes then assaulted me,” Mhlongo alleged.
The case has had a somewhat turbulent journey through the courts. Initial appearances were scheduled for 27 June and 8 October 2024, but Babes failed to attend. She finally appeared on 14 October, leading to the setting of the January trial dates.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN police spokesman, confirmed the case to Daily Sun, stating: “Police at Durban Central are investigating a case of assault following an incident in which a 33-year-old woman was assaulted by a suspect known to her on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street on 12 March 2024. The suspect was charged and has made several court appearances in the Durban Magistrates Court.”
This legal matter comes at a time when Babes is already navigating intense public scrutiny. A recent video showing her breaking down on stage while performing her late husband, Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo’s song, Ngeke, went viral. The footage depicts her emotional struggle to contain her tears, yet she persevered with the performance, captivating the audience. This public display of grief followed Mampintsha’s death on Christmas Eve 2023 after suffering a stroke. Since then, Babes has continued to perform, balancing her career with her personal grief.
The video of her emotional performance, however, was not the only recent event to draw public attention. A separate video showing Babes exposing her genitals to her fans sparked a heated online debate. Reactions were divided, with some expressing concern and urging her to take time off to mourn, while others defended her right to grieve in her own way. One fan tweeted, “I think she needs some time off. But ke, we mourn differently.”
Babes herself has offered glimpses into her grieving process, both on and offline. She recently revealed that she had accessed her late husband’s phone, addressing speculation about infidelity during their marriage.
“I have found my baby’s password. Thank you, baby. My husband loved me until the end,” she shared, adding with a touch of humour, “I’m now reading all your business.” This candid revelation further fuelled public debate, with some criticising her for airing private matters, while others viewed it as a personal coping mechanism.
The upcoming assault trial adds another layer of complexity to Babes Wodumo’s already challenging journey. The juxtaposition of the highly publicised video showing her exposing her “fat kuu kuu”, her public grieving process, and now the assault charges paints a picture of a woman navigating intense personal and public pressures.
