A report first published by Isolezwe revealed that Afrotainment dancer, Sgaqah, (real name Nhlanhla Chiliza) had been arrested in Lamontville, Durban on Monday on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl who is believed to be a neighbour of his.
Chiliza, who is part of DJ Tira’s Amadada dance crew, was allegedly arrested at the victim’s house while trying to convince her family to drop the charges against him.
He then appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court yesterday for a bail hearing, where he pleaded not guilty. Chiliza told the court he had no previous convictions or pending cases and that he had two children to take care of with his R15 000 salary.
According to Daily Sun, Chiliza stated (in an affidavit that was read out in court), “my kids will starve if I’m kept in custody.”
The case’s investigating officer Sergeant Edmund Nkomo argued that he had not been handed Chiliza’s passport and the defendant was therefore a flight risk. Prosecutor, Ntsiki Qhunyiso, also told the court Chiliza had failed to provide exceptional circumstances for why the court should release him on bail. “This is a serious case that involves the rape of a minor victim,” added Qhunyiso.
“This allegation against him does not go well with him. He has not been himself since he was arrested,” said Chiliza’s lawyer, Sandile Shoba, who insisted that his client was not guilty and has been cooperative with law enforecement since his arrest.
Chiliza was denied bail and Magistrate Boniwe Ngcobo postponed the matter to today.
