Chicco Twala's son to languish in jail as angry aunt nails him on the cross after he stole a phone and fled

Johannesburg – The legal woes of Longwe Twala, son of renowned music producer Sello “Chicco” Twala, deepened this week as his attempts to avoid prosecution on theft charges were thwarted by his own aunt.

Longwe, who faces charges of stealing equipment from his father’s studio, found himself further embroiled in trouble after his aunt reported him for stealing her cellphone.

Longwe’s initial arrest on 26 November in Diepkloof followed a theft complaint filed by his father in September. Chicco Twala alleged that Longwe ransacked his recording studio while he was in the US, making off with approximately R200,000 worth of equipment.

This led to Longwe’s appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court the following day. His brother, Sello, was also initially implicated, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) later dropped charges against him due to insufficient evidence.

Longwe’s attempts to use ill health as a reason for missing a court appearance backfired spectacularly. He claimed to have informed his aunt of his illness, but crucially, failed to provide a medical certificate. The matter was postponed to allow the investigating officer to submit an affidavit confirming Longwe’s address and verifying his claim of illness.

However, the investigating officer’s report revealed a different story. The prosecutor informed the court that the aunt had denied any knowledge of Longwe's alleged illness. Furthermore, the investigator initially struggled to locate Longwe at the address provided to the court, only finding him later, but confirming that he was not residing there.

The state also revealed that the person previously accommodating Longwe had stated they were no longer willing to do so. This casts significant doubt on the authenticity of Longwe’s claim of illness and his stated address.

Adding to Longwe's troubles, a new theft charge is likely imminent. A source close to the family revealed that Longwe allegedly stole his aunt’s cellphone on the Thursday before his scheduled court appearance.

This theft, reported by Chicco Twala’s sister, with whom Longwe was residing under his bail conditions, significantly undermines his credibility and complicates his legal situation. The aunt's decision to report this further theft adds another layer of complexity to the case, effectively turning a family matter into a full-blown legal battle.

Chicco Twala, when contacted for comment, expressed his belief that his son should remain in custody.

“I don’t know much I just arrived. But I knew that it was going to happen. And I even told the investigating officer that they must not give him bail. All I can say is that they must arrest him and his sister must open a case against him for theft,” he stated.

His comments underscore the strained relationship between father and son and highlight the seriousness with which Chicco views his son's actions.

The court postponed the matter to December 9th for a bail application, with Longwe remaining in custody. The additional theft charge, coupled with the contradictory statements surrounding his previous absence from court, significantly reduces the likelihood of bail being granted.