Another arrest warrant issued for influencer Musa Khawula, after he defied court order

Social media influencer and entertainment commentator Musa Khawula is facing a fresh arrest warrant after failing to comply with a court order to apologize to prominent businessman Ze Nxumalo. This follows allegations Khawula made against Nxumalo, claiming that he was cheating on his wife, Tamaryn Green Nxumalo.

Earlier this month, the Johannesburg High Court granted Nxumalo a court order directing Khawula to retract his defamatory statements posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on October 12. The court ruled that Khawula must remove the post, but his failure to do so has now led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

In his controversial post, Khawula shared a photo of Dr. Tamaryn Green Nxumalo alongside a child, with the caption: “Dr. Tamaryn Green Nxumalo with a child while her husband Ze Nxumalo is cheating on her.” The court found Khawula in contempt of the earlier order, and on November 6, Judge Ettian Raubenheimer ruled that Khawula must permanently retract the statements made on his X account. The judgment also barred Khawula from making any further allegations or mentioning Nxumalo and his wife on social media.

This legal trouble is not Khawula’s first run-in with the law. Earlier this year, he was sentenced to 90 days in prison for contempt of court after he defied a ruling that prohibited him from making defamatory statements about Nozuko Mbalula, the wife of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. In that case, Khawula had failed to retract accusations that Nozuko had been involved in corruption, alleging she paid an individual named Nomthandazo Masupye to secure government tenders worth R150 million between 2013 and 2019.

In addition to the Mbalula case, Khawula has faced similar legal battles involving other high-profile individuals. In January, businessman Jade Orren filed a court application after Khawula posted allegations on social media that Orren had cheated on his wife, Shilinia. According to Orren’s legal claim, the post was damaging to his reputation and was intended to harm his standing in the public eye. The court ruled that Khawula must retract the statements, but the influencer’s continued disregard for court rulings has led to ongoing legal action against him.

The repeated legal challenges highlight the ongoing issues surrounding Khawula’s social media presence, where he has built a reputation for spreading controversial and sometimes defamatory content. Khawula’s posts often involve personal accusations, sometimes without evidence, aimed at high-profile figures in entertainment, business, and politics. While his posts attract attention and often go viral, his legal woes have become a significant consequence of his actions.

In the case involving Nxumalo, the court’s judgment was clear: Khawula’s failure to comply with the court’s orders could result in further legal penalties. “The respondent (Musa Khawula) is directed to permanently retract and remove the statements made by him on his X account,” the court stated. This ruling also explicitly forbids Khawula from mentioning the Nxumalos on social media or making any further allegations about them.

Khawula’s ongoing defiance of court orders suggests that his social media activity may continue to attract legal consequences if he fails to adjust his behavior. The court’s latest verdict underscores the importance of abiding by legal rulings, particularly when they involve public figures and personal reputations.

The cases involving Khawula raise broader questions about the responsibilities of social media influencers and the potential consequences of spreading unfounded or harmful claims. While influencers like Khawula may benefit from social media engagement and public attention, their actions can have serious legal implications, especially when they violate the rights of others.

As his legal battles unfold, Khawula’s case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with the power of social media and the need for individuals to be mindful of the consequences of their actions, both online and offline. For now, the influencer faces the possibility of imprisonment once again if he does not comply with the court’s latest ruling in the Nxumalo case.