Sonia Mbele’s son, Donell Mbele who was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend last year November, is a free man.
Mbele's girlfriend Reokeditswe Makete sparked controversy last year when she took to her Instagram timeline and shared pictures and videos of the injuries allegedly sustained when Donell Mbele assaulted her. She opened the case soon afterwards and said she was afraid Donell was going to kill her. “He ripped my nail off today while he was hitting me and dragging me around the house. This man has threatened to kill me.” she wrote
After Reokeditswe failed to appear at the Randburg Magistrates Court five times, the court struck the matter off the roll.
Donell’s legal representative, Tiyani Vukeya said after reading Rokeditswe statement, he realised that the matter against his client was going to be weak. Vuyeka said Reokeditswe admitted that she first assaulted Donell while on their way home in an Uber. He says when they got home, the assault continued, and she even damaged Donell's cellphone. Donell then retaliated in self-defence by assaulting his girlfriend. The prosecutor in the matter was frustrated when Reokeditswe did not give the National Prosecuting Authority enough evidence to charge Donell. The investigating officer had tried several times to interview Reokeditswe but in vain. Reokeditswe reportedly told the investigating officer and the prosecutor she didn't want to proceed with the case anymore. That was when the matter was technically thrown out and Donell is now a free man.
After reading about the assault on social media, Sonia promised to support Reokeditswe, and said she was disappointed at her son's behaviour. She wrote on her Instagram account then, "As a mother, I wish she had come to me to inform me on what was going on because finding out on social media broke my heart. I've always been there; I've always been supportive. With that said, Donell will face his demons and take accountability for his actions and let the law take its course. I refuse to raise a man like his father. Rehab, therapy and internal healing will prevail.” She stuck by her word and took Donell to rehab. Meanwhile, Reokeditswe's family also booked her into a mental institution to deal with her alleged depression.
