Former BMF president escapes rape accusation
Charges against Nomlala dropped, NPA confirms
Former Black Management Forum (BMF) president Andile Nomlala, whose sexual assault and rape charges by an intern have been dropped, believes BMF acted prematurely by firing him.
Yesterday, Gauteng police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Sello said the charges against Nomlala were withdrawn on Monday last by the Randburg magistrate week’ s court.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said: “The matter was not placed on the roll. [There were] no prospects of a successful prosecution because of insufficient evidence.’’
Nomlala said the decision by the organisation to suspend and then fire him last December was a “public stunt”.
“I believe the decision by BMF board to terminate my relationship with the organisation was premature. This is particularly because from the onset, I volunteered to step aside to protect the reputation of the organisation whilst I was clearing my name.
“Post the acceptance of my request to step aside, they decided to suspend me and make a public stunt about it, an act I personally found very mischievous and deliberately set out to tarnish my name.
“Whilst I have been advised that I have grounds to challenge it, I do not think it is worth it...” Nomlala said.
The allegations against Nomlala stem from a former intern of BMF’s investment arm who said she was “raped and sexually assaulted” by Nomlala at his Bryanston home in Johannesburg in May 2021.
She claimed this happened after attending a work function when Nomlala offered her a lift home but instead drove to his house where he allegedly made sexual advances on her.
Sowetan established that the complainant and Nomlala have had a personal friendship for months and continued to exchange friendly banter after the alleged incident until early September last year.
Nomlala said he remained conflicted about the withdrawal of the charges.
“Whilst this was not an unexpected development, I am still processing everything I went through personally and professionally to get to this point. Basically, I have mixed feelings. Having said that, this decision allows me to start a process of healing and rebuilding,’’ he said.
BMF acting managing director Xolile Kunene said the organisation was not aware of the NPA’s decision nor the civil claim against him by the former intern.
The complainant is demanding R5m damages from Black Management Forum Investment [BMFI] for unfair dismissal and allegations of rape she made against Nomlala.
“We have not been informed of any such matters, as much of this involves the BMFI,’’ said Kunene.
The complainant’s lawyer, who asked not be named, said he was also not aware of the outcome of the criminal case but said they were still pursuing the civil claim against BMFI.
“There is an internal investigation at BMFI. We are waiting for the finalisation of the internal investigation,’’ he said.