Somizi and Mohale in happier times. Mohale’s attorney is accusing Somizi of failing to settle the legal bill for divorce.

Media personality Somizi Mhlongo is allegedly struggling to pay his ex-husband Mohale Motaung’s lawyers.

This despite him making a public undertaking a year ago to settle Motaung’s legal fees after their marriage was dissolved.

Turning to courts

Sunday World understands that Motaung’s lawyer, Mabu Marweshe of Marweshe Attorneys, has turned to the court to help him retrieve his payment from the Metro FM presenter.

Speaking to Sunday World on Friday, Marweshe said he has not received a cent from the high-flying media personality.

“We have obtained a court order. Which means we will move to obtain an attachment order that any day we will go and attach his assets to cover the costs,” he said.

Marweshe represented Motaung in the highly publicised divorce case between the couple after their two-year marriage crumbled in 2021.

Motaung acquired the expertise of the seasoned lawyer to represent him in the landmark divorce matter that was set for the Bloemfontein High Court last year.

However, two months before the matter was heard in court, Mhlongo withdrew his divorce application, following legal advice and the revelation that he was not legally married to Motaung at the time of their split.

Promise to settle ex-lover’s legal bill

In a statement released by Mhlongo in March 2023, he said he opted to withdraw the application and pay Motaung’s lawyers.

“We initially agreed to enter into settlement negotiations in an attempt to end the marriage amicably. I never wanted the matter to become protracted and acrimonious.

“The decision to withdraw the divorce action comes after we were unable to reach an agreement regarding the existence of the marriage,” said Somizi in the statement.

This then resulted in their divorce being withdrawn; no divorce proceedings took place and the matter was not heard in court.

“I opted to offer to cover the costs, the decision was influenced by the fact that the case was still in its early stages and the legal costs were relatively small,” said the media personality.

Following months of chasing the reality television star, Motaung’s lawyers opted to force Mhlongo to pay through the courts.

Never heard of the law firm

When contacted for comment, Mhlongo denied knowing Motaung’s legal team.

“I’ve never heard of that law firm in my life,” he said.

When reminded about the media statement he released at the time, he said the payment was for something else.

“That was for something else not legal fees. We were each responsible for our legal fees.”