The world of South African celebrities is often filled with glitz and glamour, but behind the scenes, many have faced significant legal troubles.

From actors to musicians, several high-profile individuals have been arrested for various offenses, some of which might surprise their fans.

Here are some of the most notable South African celebrities who have been arrested, highlighting the complexities of their personal lives.

1. **Bolello Thetha**, a former actor from the TV series “Scandal,” was once arrested during a raid at a nightclub in Springs, Ekurhuleni in 2017. Among the 17 people arrested, Bolello was supposed to appear in court, but his name was nowhere to be found. The exact reason for his presence there and the charges against him remain unknown.

2. **Morwesi Theledi**, known for her role as Mantwa on “Muvhango,” faced serious legal issues when she was arrested for fraud in 2010. Working at a bank, she was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2012. After serving part of her sentence, she was released in 2016. During her time in prison, she developed acting skills and later landed a role on “Muvhango” as Mandua.

3. **Israel Matseke**, famous for his role as Duma on “Generations,” had a troubled past. He was arrested for housebreaking and theft in 1996 and sentenced to eight years in prison. It was during this time that he developed an interest in acting. After his release, he pursued an acting career but unfortunately got sick, which halted his progress. He hopes to return to acting if his health improves.

4. **Kelly Khumalo**, a well-known South African musician, faced legal trouble when she and her sister handed themselves to the police for allegedly beating Senzo Meyiwa’s wife. This incident occurred before Senzo’s death, and Kelly was later accused of murder after his passing. However, the warrant for her arrest failed.

5. **SK Khoza**, known for his role as Chaka on “The Queen,” was arrested for allegedly physically abusing his fiancée. After an argument, he lost his temper and assaulted her, leading to injuries and a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm being opened against him.

6. **Maggie Benedict**, known as a “corner” on “Generations,” was arrested for stealing Panado. She claimed that she bought it somewhere and forgot to remove it from her purse, but the shop owner believed she stole it and had her arrested.

7. **Ronnie Nyakale**, best known for acting on “Generations: The Legacy,” was arrested for assault and kidnapping. He was accused of assaulting and kidnapping another student from Ithemba Trust, but he was later released on a warning.

8. **Skhumbuzo Mbatha**, known as Menzi Ngubane on “Scandal,” was wrongfully arrested after giving a lift to a woman who was not in good terms with her husband. She got off the car, damaged her husband’s car, and then rushed back into Skhumbuzo’s car, leading to his arrest.

9. **McDonald Ndou**, from “Muvhango,” was arrested in 2017 on charges of extortion, corruption, theft, and kidnapping.

10. **Zinhle Mabena**, known for acting on “Isibaya,” was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. She was accused of planning to kill her husband and was involved in a shooting incident where her husband’s bodyguard was killed.

11. **Presley Chweneyagae**, known for his role in the movie “Tsotsi,” was arrested for fraud after allegedly producing a fake driver’s license. He was released on bail of 2,000 rand.

12. **Linda Sebezo**, currently acting on “Black Door” as Mum Ribs, was arrested after being found with drugs worth millions. She claimed it was a setup and spent three months in jail for something she did not commit.

13. **Khanya Mkangisa** was arrested for assault and driving under the influence of alcohol. A video of her being arrested by police officers was posted on social media, and she was released on bail of 1,500 rand.

14. **Trevor Noah**, the popular comedian and actor, was once arrested as a teenager for suspicion of stealing a car. He spent a week behind bars before being released on bail.

15. **David Sebe**, an actor from “Muvhango,” handed himself to the police after discovering someone was using his identity for fraud. He went to prove his innocence since he was not on social media.

16. **Zodwa Wabantu**, who appeared on “Black Door,” was arrested in 2021 for breaking COVID-19 regulations by driving during lockdown hours.

These arrests highlight the diverse and often tumultuous lives of South African celebrities. From financial crimes to violent offenses, their legal troubles remind us that fame and fortune do not exempt anyone from the consequences of their actions.

Despite these challenges, some of these individuals have managed to rebuild their lives and careers, showing resilience in the face of adversity.

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