Media personality Somizi Mhlongo is in the midst of a media whirlwind after he allegedly abused his “estranged” husband Mohale. According to Sunday World, Mohale reportedly made the claims in an interview with the producers of the reality show ‘Living the Dream with Somizi’.
Now, Somizi and management at Metro FM, where the star serves as presenter, and M-Net, where he serves as a judge on the popular reality series ‘Idols South Africa’, have come to an agreement for the star to take time off to deal with the allegations made against him.
In a statement, Metro FM says that “The SABC can confirm Metro FM management met with Mr Somizi Mhlongo and he has requested to take some time off from work. Management has granted Mr Mhlongo permission to do so.”
They add “The corporation has noted the comments on social media about Mr Mhlongo and we would like to point out that the public service broadcaster does not condone any acts of abuse and violence”.
Meanwhile, Mzansi Magic have revealed that they have also allowed Somizi to step away from his responsibilities at the reality series. “M-Net and Mr Somizi Mhlongo met to discuss his role on Idols SA in light of the allegations made against him. We have reached a mutual agreement that Mr Mhlongo will take some time off to deal with his personal circumstances until this matter has been resolved,” the channel said. “Viewers will still see Mr Mhlongo on their screens until Sunday, 22 August 2021, as the audition shows for Idols SA were pre-recorded.”
Somizi also released an official statement on social media, addressing the explosive allegations made against him. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would one day have to defend my honour as a result of someone I have loved so deeply and so genuinely deliberately harming a reputation I’ve worked so hard to build, [sic]” he said in a lengthy statement released on social media. “It is incredibly painful that what I thought would be a beautiful new normal for the rest of my life with the love of my life is no longer what will happen.”
He adds that he “vehemently denied the allegations of criminal acts against him,” saying he had never knowingly been physically or emotionally abusive toward his now estranged husband.
However, the couple reportedly did have “one altercation in which I had to defend myself and both of us were physically hurt by the other.”
As the matter takes a legal route, Somizi confirms in the statement that divorce proceedings were underway and would be finalised “fairly and responsibly”.
Read his full statement here:
