MBABANE – Sifiso Illa Penboy Ndlangamandla, the acclaimed artist widely recognised for his music and extensive charity work, has found himself embroiled in a legal battle.
This is after he was taken to the High Court over an alleged debt.
Ndlangamandla, who gained prominence for his philanthropic efforts in donating bread and other necessities to needy children, is facing a lawsuit for a sum of E160 000.
The legal action has been initiated by Mzwandile Mandeku Fakudze, a resident of New Village hailing from Moihoek in the Shiselweni Region.
In his particulars of claim submitted to the court, Fakudze alleges that he invested the substantial sum into Ndlangamandla’s music event organisation at the artist’s request.
Refused to repay
Despite numerous reminders, Ndlangamandla has reportedly refused to repay the money. Fakudze is seeking a court order directing Ndlangamandla to repay the amount with an interest of nine per cent.
The summons served on Illa Penboy informs him that should he dispute the claim and wish to defend the action, he must file a notice of his intention to defend with the registrar of the High Court within 10 days of receiving the summons and serve a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney.
Following this, he has 21 days to file a plea, exception or notice to strike out, with or without a counterclaim.
The summons explicitly states that failure to file and serve the notice as required may result in judgment being given against him without further notice.
The High Court will now deliberate on the matter to determine the validity of Fakudze’s claims and the responsibilities of both parties in this financial dispute. The plaintiff is represented by lawyers from Demhleta Legal in Manzini.
Illa Penboy’s career has seen a remarkable trajectory, blending musical success with significant philanthropic endeavours. His music, featuring a unique blend of street talk and highly influential messages in both siSwati and English, brings a distinct flavour to the Hip Hop scene. One of his key objectives has been to encourage and inspire international appeal for local music.
Philanthropy
In 2023, his rising profile saw him announced as a brand ambassador for one of South Africa’s biggest summer events, which took place on December 2 of that year.
However, it is his unwavering commitment to charity that has truly seen his brand skyrocket. His journey into extensive philanthropy began with the #donateabread campaign in 2020, launched during the initial COVID-19 lockdown.
What started as an effort to help those unable to access food quickly evolved into a much larger initiative.
Through this campaign, Illa Penboy has done remarkable work across Eswatini, successfully gathering funds to provide full school uniforms for children and even constructing houses for the needy.
His dedication to assisting the less fortunate has made him a widely respected figure throughout the kingdom.
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