Courts & Legal
DJ Sbu denies claims he benefited from R100 million Ekurhuleni grants
The name DJ Sbu has long been tied to South Africa’s media and business landscape. This week, it found itself pulled into a very different conversation after dramatic testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry placed him at the centre of claims involving more than R100 million in municipal funding.
Sbu “DJ Sbu” Leope has come out strongly to reject those claims, describing them as false and damaging.
How the claims surfaced
The controversy erupted during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission, where the City of Ekurhuleni’s suspended head of Legal and Risk Services, advocate Kemi Behari, delivered testimony that quickly grabbed attention across political and business circles.
Behari told the commission that internal processes had gathered evidence suggesting that Leope and former ANC Gauteng secretary Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza were among the key beneficiaries linked to the city’s Grants in Aid programme.
According to his testimony, he escalated concerns to his head of department after the evidence appeared to point directly to the two figures. The moment placed both names at the heart of a wider inquiry examining governance failures, political influence, and the alleged misuse of public funds within the municipality.
Ekurhuleni has already been under intense scrutiny in recent months, which has made the latest developments even more politically charged.
DJ Sbu’s response
Leope responded swiftly with a firm denial.
In a public statement, he described the allegations as false, misleading, and unsubstantiated. He said he had no involvement in wrongdoing or unethical conduct and rejected any suggestion that he had unlawfully benefited from municipal processes or colluded with officials.
Positioning himself as the target of reputational harm, he emphasised that his career across broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and community work has been built on transparency and integrity. He also made it clear that he reserves his legal rights in response to what he considers defamatory claims.
Leope further urged both the public and the media to verify information before amplifying accusations, warning that untested claims can cause lasting damage. At the same time, he indicated that he would cooperate with any lawful investigation that is grounded in evidence and fairness.
Why the moment matters
The appearance of well-known public figures in a commission focused on governance and public funds has inevitably sparked strong discussion online, with many South Africans calling for clarity and accountability before drawing conclusions.
Commissions of inquiry often serve as fact-finding platforms rather than courts, which means testimony can introduce allegations that still need to be tested through evidence and cross-examination. That context is important as the process continues.
Leope himself expressed confidence that the commission’s work would ultimately separate fact from allegation.
What happens next
The Madlanga Commission is continuing its hearings, with advocate Behari expected to return to the stand as the inquiry digs deeper into how the Grants in Aid programme was managed and whether any improper conduct occurred.
For now, the situation remains an unfolding story, with serious claims on record and equally strong denials from one of South Africa’s most recognisable media personalities.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
