SOMIZI ACCUSER TAKES TO THE STAND

Details of the Somizi Mhlongo indecent assault case finally came to light as the star’s accuser took to the stand at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The Sowetan newspaper has reported that 28 year old Celani Njapha told the magistrate, Hombakazi Thwele, that the openly gay Mhlongo repeatedly groped him despite his protestations.

Njapha claimed that Mhlongo invited him to his house after he had asked the celebrity for his autograph. He said that once he was at Mhlongo’s home, the choreographer and performer offered him a drink.

“While we were sitting on the couch, he started touching my chest and my private parts,” said an emotional Njapha in court.

He claimed that Mhlongo only stopped harassing him when he threatened to become violent. He said that he had no sexual interest whatsoever in Mhlongo and made that clear to him.

Eventually Mhlongo took him home.

Njapha later laid a charge of indecent assault which led to Mhlongo’s arrest in November 2007. He was released on R 2 000 bail.

According to the Sowetan, it is expected that Mhlongo will claim that Njapha laid the indecent assault charges against him after he refused to pay Njapha R10 000 for sex.

Mhlongo is best known for the television talk show, Intimate Connexionz, which he hosted in his drag persona of Madam Gigi. He also appeared in movies such as Sarafina and Cry the Beloved Country.

The trial will continue on May 5.