10 SA Celebrities Caught in Fraud/Corruption.

South Africa’s celebrity world is no stranger to controversy, and some of the country’s most prominent stars have found themselves embroiled in fraud and corruption scandals.

From financial mismanagement to involvement in illegal activities, these celebrities have faced public backlash and legal consequences for their actions.

Here’s a look at 10 South African celebrities who were caught in fraud and corruption scandals, leaving a mark on their careers and reputations.

Somizi Mhlongo

Somizi Mhlongo, one of South Africa’s most beloved entertainers, faced a scandal involving fraudulent claims linked to his divorce proceedings with his ex-husband Mohale Motaung.

In 2021, Mohale accused Somizi of emotional and physical abuse, but the case took a turn when allegations surfaced that Somizi had falsified evidence during the divorce proceedings to gain an advantage.

While these claims were not proven in court, they raised serious questions about his involvement in fraudulent activities.

Minnie Dlamini

Minnie Dlamini found herself at the center of a controversy involving a fraudulent business deal.

In 2018, she was linked to a company that was accused of mismanaging funds and being involved in a fraudulent scheme.

Dlamini, who was a brand ambassador for the company at the time, faced heavy scrutiny, but denied any involvement in the fraudulent activities.

This scandal tainted her reputation for a period, though she later moved forward with other projects.

Julius Malema

While Julius Malema is better known as a politician, his past as a public figure and celebrity has also been marred by corruption allegations.

Malema was investigated in connection with corruption charges involving the use of public funds for personal gain, including his alleged involvement in an unlawful tender scheme during his time as the leader of the ANC Youth League.

In 2014, Malema was found guilty of money laundering, which sparked debates about corruption in political and celebrity circles.

Vusi Thembekwayo

Vusi Thembekwayo, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, was caught up in a corruption scandal in 2020.

Thembekwayo was accused of fraud and embezzling funds from a major business venture.

His company allegedly misused investor money, leading to legal action against him.

The case was widely publicized, and though he denied all allegations, the scandal had a damaging effect on his business empire.

Shauwn Mkhize

Shauwn Mkhize, a businesswoman and reality TV star, was linked to a large-scale corruption case involving her company, Zikhulise Cleaning, and a tender scandal.

In 2017, Mkhize faced accusations of inflating tender prices and misappropriating funds.

She was charged with fraud and money laundering but later found not guilty in a high-profile court case.

The scandal, however, severely impacted her public image.

Zodwa Wabantu

Zodwa Wabantu, the controversial dancer and social media star, was involved in a scandal in 2021 when she was accused of using her platform to promote fraudulent business schemes.

She allegedly endorsed several dubious investment opportunities on her social media platforms, which were later linked to scams.

Though Wabantu denied any wrongdoing, the allegations affected her reputation, leading to public backlash.

Penny Lebyane

Radio personality Penny Lebyane was caught in a scandal involving fraudulent claims about her qualifications.

In 2020, it was revealed that Lebyane had allegedly misrepresented her educational background in order to land high-profile media roles.

The fraud allegations stirred controversy, and though she denied fabricating her qualifications, the incident led to questions about her integrity and professionalism.

Kuli Roberts

Kuli Roberts, a beloved TV personality and actress, was also associated with a corruption scandal in 2016.

Roberts was allegedly involved in fraudulent activities related to the mismanagement of funds for a charity she was associated with.

Though Roberts denied any personal involvement, the case sparked criticism over her business dealings and raised concerns about corruption in South African entertainment.

Lulu Hela

Lulu Hela, a South African actress and businesswoman, was involved in a highly publicized fraud case in 2019.

Hela was accused of misleading investors in her beauty and skincare business, allegedly falsifying sales figures and inflating profits to attract more capital.

The case led to a court battle, but Hela was ultimately cleared of all charges.

However, the scandal significantly impacted her brand, and she faced damage to her career and credibility.

Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo

Mandla Maphumulo, better known as Mampintsha, the late Gqom music star, was involved in a corruption and fraud case in 2019.

Mampintsha was accused of defrauding a number of his business associates and using fake documents to secure a loan for his music career.

Although the case was settled out of court, the allegations caused significant public backlash, especially in light of his other controversies.