Cape Town – Actor Sipho Ndlovu has spoken publicly about the toll that domestic assault allegations made by his former partner, Thandeka Mhlanga, had on both his personal life and professional career.
Mhlanga, who is also known as Shanice, opened an assault case against Ndlovu in 2024, alleging that he assaulted her following a visit to his home. She has since apologised, acknowledging that she damaged the actor’s reputation and expressing regret over opening the case.
Speaking on the Engineer Your Life podcast hosted by Lungelo KM, Ndlovu shared his version of events leading up to the allegations. He explained that the pair had been in a relationship for approximately two months before he decided to end it, saying they were simply not compatible.
“I realised we had only two months with her. Then I decided that, no, no, no, this one, it should end,” he said.
According to Ndlovu, his decision to end the relationship was influenced by behaviour he considered unacceptable, including an incident in which he claimed Mhlanga insulted a production driver.
The actor alleged that after the relationship ended, Mhlanga initially refused to leave his home but eventually departed the following day. He further claimed that she later returned to the estate where he lived despite him asking her to respect his decision.
“I ran to the gate to try to stop her from getting into my yard,” he recalled.
Ndlovu said the situation escalated into an exchange involving estate security before Mhlanga eventually left the premises.
He further alleged that the following morning he received a WhatsApp message from Mhlanga containing a photograph of her with what appeared to be a bruised eye.
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“She sent me a WhatsApp photo of her with a blue eye and said, ‘I am going to tell South Africa that you did this to me.'”
Ndlovu said he immediately denied the allegation.
“I said, ‘You know very well that I didn’t touch you.'”
According to the actor, Mhlanga responded by saying: “You allowed security to manhandle me. Now you will know.”
Ndlovu said he was later arrested after an assault case was opened against him. He added that he also laid a harassment complaint against Mhlanga, alleging that she repeatedly harassed him and trespassed on his property.
“I went to Douglasdale Police Station to open a case against her. Because it is harassment. She harassed me. She trespassed.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ndlovu said the allegations had a profound effect on his public image, leaving him labelled as an abuser despite maintaining his innocence.
“People called me an abuser. People called me a woman beater. I beat women,” he said, describing the lasting damage the allegations had on his reputation.
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Picture: Instagram/ Sipho Ndlovu
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Compliled by Glaan Sibuyi
