Celebrities in crime cases this year

THIS year a number of South African entertainers, artists and other celebrities found themselves in court facing charges, while others fell victim to crime.

● Former Generations actress Maggie Benedict was found not guilty of theft in June after she was accused of stealing a packet of painkillers from a retailer.

Just 10 days later she was targeted by thieves at her Pretoria home. A case of theft was opened, but has been closed.

● Rapper Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi was stabbed and killed by his girlfriend Sindisiwe Manqele in March.

Manqele, who claimed she acted in self-defence during a fight, was recently convicted of his murder.

Her sentencing is expected to begin in March next year.

● Former JoziFM DJ Donald Sebolai was convicted of murder after stabbing his girlfriend Rachel Tshabalala to death during a fight in his Soweto flat in June last year.

His sentencing proceedings will continue in February.

● The man who allegedly caused the deaths of TV presenter Simba Mhere and his friend Kady-Shay O’Bryan in a car crash is still on trial.

Preshalin Naidoo, 24, faces charges of culpable homicide. A witness claimed Naidoo was drunk at the time of the accident. He denies this.

● The trial of kwaito star Sipho “Brickz” Ndlovu on a charge of raping a 17-year-old girl is still ongoing.

He is also being investigated for a charge of stealing a Speedpoint machine at a petrol station in September.

● Acclaimed painter Zwelethu Mthethwa, accused of beating sex worker Nokuphila Kumalo, 23, to death in 2013, is still on trial in Cape Town.