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Actor Lunga Shabalala is making headlines again after being accused of a physical altercation with an Uber driver.
The incident allegedly took place on September 22 at a petrol station in Sandton, Johannesburg, following claims that the driver slapped Shabalala’s girlfriend during a ride.
Reports state that Shabalala retaliated, leading to a fight where he allegedly struck the driver with a bottle.
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Both the actor and the driver were reportedly arrested and appeared in court, with Shabalala facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he has come forward to clarify the situation.
In a detailed statement on his X account, Shabalala denied all allegations, stating they paint him as a violent person.
He emphasized that there is no ongoing legal case against him. “The man involved has voluntarily withdrawn all charges following the incident on September 22. After reviewing the matter, the prosecutor has chosen not to pursue any form of prosecution. This outcome confirms my innocence and highlights the baseless nature of these allegations.”
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Shabalala also stressed that he does not condone any form of violence. As a public figure, he feels a strong responsibility to promote positive behavior and stands firmly against all forms of violence, including gender-based violence (GBV).
“It is a societal issue we must all unite to combat. I am deeply committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, equality, and respect,” he said.
This is not the first time Lunga Shabalala has been in the spotlight for controversial reasons. In 2023, reports surfaced that his ex-girlfriend, Thando Thabethe, had filed an interim protection order against him, alleging that he stalked her and unexpectedly showed up at her workplace after their breakup in 2022.
As Shabalala navigates these allegations, he urges the media and the public to refrain from spreading false information that could harm an individual’s reputation.
