Popular DJ Black Coffee, whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo, has denied his estranged wife Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa’s claim that he assaulted her.
Mlotshwa applied for a restraining order against Black Coffee at the Randburg magistrate’s court on Monday, alleging that he assaulted her during her 33rd birthday dinner at their Sandton home in March.
‘Hit on the wrist’
The popular actress alleged that Black Coffee hit her on the wrist during an altercation at the dinner, reportedly in full view of guests.
“It is my duty as a woman to not only fight for myself, but [also] for every single woman in South Africa,” she said in her application.
“The time is now. I believe that this is one step closer to achieving justice for the perpetrators who have subjected women in this country to gender-based violence (GBV).”
Both parties were present in court and the matter was postponed to 28 April. Mlotshwa’s supporters carried placards bearing various messages, including “Enough is enough,” “Hands off Enhle” and “We believe her.”
Black Coffee denies allegation
However, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, Black Coffee broke his silence and accused Mlotshwa of choosing to “mislead the public.”
He wrote, “In the name of respect and dignity for my family and my children, I’ve been quiet but now I feel a need to speak. GBV is major issue in our country, every day we read about horrendous crimes committed by men against women and children.
“I personally grew up witnessing GBV in my own household and from a young age, I vowed never to allow that to happen again under any circumstances. I DID NOT assault Mbali, the mother of my children. I didn’t do it now and I have never done It before.
“It is truly regrettable that she has chosen to mislead the public using the name of GBV and seeking a protection order against me to sperate me from my children and our home.
“Divorce is never easy but for us, it has been especially painful and I’ve spent the last three years in and out of intense therapy to deal with it privately. Everyday I am attacked by relentless lies and falsehoods. I DID NOT ASSAULT HER.
“As a law-abiding citizen, I will absolutely observe the demands of the interim order, but will categorically oppose the permanent installation of its prescripts and this is why we are currently in court.”
Black Coffee and Enhle Mbali divorce
The couple are locked in a long drawn-out divorce process after their separation in 2019. They have two children together.
They got married in a traditional wedding ceremony in 2011 before reaffirming their vows in a white wedding in 2017.
In an interview with City Press in 2019, the world-renowned DJ said he accepted part of the blame for the divorce. “I believe I have done enough to try to fix things. I don’t want to speak about her faults – she is the mother of my children after all,” he explained.
“Whenever I was wrong, I admitted I was wrong. We tried everything, such as seeing a therapist and a life coach, but nothing worked.”
Citing unnamed sources, the publication claimed Black Coffee had fathered two children outside marriage, something neither he nor Mlotshwa confirmed or denied.
In November 2020, a court ruled that Mlotshwa was entitled to R15,000 spousal maintenance and R50,000 in child support per month from her estranged husband.