Background of the Defamation Case (July 2026)
Gossip blogger Musa Khawula has apologised to Senzo Tsabedze (CEO of Afrirent Holdings) who he accussed of cheating on his wife with six younger women.
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Involvement of Candice: One of the posts specifically claimed that one of the alleged mistresses was younger than Tsabedze’s daughter, Candice—dragging her name directly into the gossip.
Court Ruling and Penalties (21 July 2026)
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The Johannesburg High Court (Judge Nel) ruled the posts were false and defamatory.
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Khawula was ordered to: delete the posts, publish an unreserved public apology to Senzo, his wife, and Candice, and pay legal costs.
Contempt of Court (27 August 2026)
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Khawula ignored the July order for weeks. Acting Judge Mzuzu found him in contempt.
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He faced a suspended R10,000 fine and the threat of a 90-day prison sentence if he did not comply within five days of the new judgment.
The Final Apology (7 September 2026)
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To avoid the penalties, Khawula finally posted the public apology on X.
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He directly addressed Senzo Tsabedze, his wife, and Candice Tsabedze.
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He apologized for “allowing your name to be drawn into a matter that did not concern you” and took full responsibility for the harm caused.
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He attached a court document and a photo of Tsabedze to the post.
Why Candice Was Specifically Addressed
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The original rumor explicitly used Candice’s age as a comparison point (claiming a mistress was “younger than her”).
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Since Candice works in the family business (Afrirent), the false allegations spilled over into her professional reputation as well, justifying her inclusion in the required apology.
Khawula’s Signature Style
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He signed the post with his usual dramatic sign-off: “xo xo, gossip girl,” which observers noted is typical of his pattern—he usually only apologizes when the courts force his hand.
