Presenter maintains Mbuli is a crook
Mosia says Mzwakhe preys on deceased celebrities’ families
Power FM presenter Thabiso Mosia says he did not receive a letter from Mzwakhe Mbuli’s lawyers and would not apologise to the People’s Poet after accusing him of being a fraudster.
Sowetan reported yesterday that Mbuli has given Mosia seven days to retract the accusations that the presenter made in a series of tweets last week that the veteran musician “scammed” late kwaito star Mandoza’s family in the run-up to his funeral last year.
Mosia tweeted that Mbuli offered to organise sound, food and a venue for Mandoza’s funeral and, in the process, scammed the family of thousands of rands.
He said Mbuli did this at most celebrities’ funerals.
“I have been in the UK for the last few days but checked my e-mail inbox, both there [in the UK] and [in SA] this morning. I have not received a letter from Mzwakhe or his lawyers. I have heard about this letter and also that Mzwakhe is taking me to court but I haven’t received anything.
“I stand by everything I said. It was not hearsay. I was there and I saw it. I won’t apologise to a crook‚” said Mosia‚ who was a close friend of Mandoza.
He said he would not respond to Mbuli or the claims until after music veteran Ray Phiri’s funeral this weekend‚ out of respect for the family.
“I don’t want this overshadowing the funeral and mourning for Ray. After the funeral, I will engage with Mzwakhe on whatever platform he wishes.”
In his tweets, Mosia also said: “Mzwakhe wanted 70k to organise sound for MDZ funeral. We [fam] said no cos @ArthurMafokate was offering his sound for free. Mzwakhe threw a fit.
“Part of the scam. They ask the family how they can help [venue hire, food, transport, sound]. They then go to ministers/MECs to ask for the $$.
“The Ministers/MEC then give them the $$$. But they keep most of it and pretend they didn’t get enough. Family then must start all over again.”
Mosia was concerned that the same thing would happen to the Phiri family. “[I am] saddened by Oom Ray’s passing. Even sadder hearing that Mzwakhe Mbuli is already doing the talking. He’s only there to steal money ...” Mosia wrote.
However, Mzwakhe denied these claims and challenged Mosia to provide proof.