Chicco Twala says he wants his son Longwe denied bail… If he gets bail he will flee Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial

The legendary music executive, Sello 'Chicco' Twala, has spoken out about his son, Longwe, who is facing charges of housebreaking and theft.

Chicco, visibly emotional, told journalists outside the Randburg Magistrates Court last week that he wants his son to remain behind bars, fearing that Longwe will disappear again if granted bail.

The charges stem from an incident over the weekend where Longwe, along with his brother Sello, allegedly broke into their father's studio and stole equipment worth thousands of rands.

This is not the first time Longwe has been accused of theft. Chicco revealed that his son has been battling drug addiction since the age of 17, and has been stealing from him for the past 20 years.

"My son is a drug addict. He has been an addict since the age of 17 years old. I have taken him to over 30 rehab centres and we have tried to help him as a family, but we failed," Chicco said, his voice laced with a mixture of sadness and anger.

Longwe had been back for a week from a rehabilitation centre when he allegedly stole from his father's studio at his house in Fourways, Johannesburg. He had been staying at his aunt's house as Twala refused to take him following several theft incidents.

Despite numerous attempts at rehabilitation, Longwe's addiction has continued to plague him, leading him down a destructive path.

"I left for the USA, I sat down with Longwe for more than three hours and he was doing well. He was from rehabilitation when I left and he was doing well. He was also looking good and healthy," Chicco said.

Chicco's frustration is palpable. He feels he has exhausted all options, from countless rehab stints to offering Longwe a chance to take over his business.

"For the past 23 years, we did everything to help Longwe. That is why I can open a case against him because I did everything, but it seems like helping him enables his behaviour. That boy is a snake, he will never change. The only thing that will change that boy is death because he doesn't have limits. As long as he is alive, he will continue like this, that is why I went where they smoke drugs because the police couldn't find him so that they can arrest him for what he did," Chicco said.

Chicco's love for his son is evident, but his disappointment and frustration are equally clear. He believes that the only way to stop Longwe's destructive path is to hold him accountable for his actions.

"I want them to face the law. It is enough, they have been doing this for years now they have to suffer the consequences because it is not the first time, they have done this, even with my credit cards. They would steal my credit cards and buy drugs, but I have reached the point where I am enough because I can see this won't end," Chicco said.

He believes that Longwe's addiction has made him a danger to himself and others.

"I'd rather have him in jail than he be hooked on drugs. I'm grateful that he's okay and he must just live his life in jail. My other son Sello is not into drugs and alcohol. I was just surprised by his actions," he said.

Chicco's concerns extend beyond Longwe's current charges. He is also worried about Longwe's potential involvement in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Longwe is expected to testify in the case, and Chicco fears that his son will disappear if granted bail.

"I certainly don't want my son to get bail. He will disappear and not be found for his next court appearance. The fact that the defence in the Senzo Meyiwa case would be calling him to testify makes it even more worrying because I know for a fact that he will disappear and miss both his court appearances the day he is supposed to testify," Chicco said.

Chicco says he knows Longwe will provide his sister's residential address in a bid to get bail, but claims that this will be false.

"He knows that he will be in the street taking drugs. He would rather stay in jail and sober up so that he is ready to testify when the defence in the Meyiwa case calls him to testify," the legendary music executive said.

Longwe's case will be back in court on Thursday.