Madlanga Commission | DJ Sbu hits back at claims he benefitted R100m from Ekurhuleni grants
DJ Sbu has refuted claims that he unlawfully benefitted from grants-in-aid in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Image: File
Media personality and entrepreneur Sbu “DJ Sbu” Leope has denied claims that he and former ANC Gauteng secretary Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza unduly benefitted from more than R100 million in Grants-in-Aid from the City of Ekurhuleni.
The claims surfaced on Monday at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where the city’s suspended head of Legal and Risk Services, advocate Kemi Behari, delivered testimony that sent shockwaves through political and business circles.
Behari told the commission that evidence gathered during internal processes pointed to Leope and Nciza as key beneficiaries of the controversial grants programme.
He said he escalated the matter to his head of department, only to be alarmed by the implications.
“I said to my HOD at the time, the only people we can call now is TK Nciza and Sbu Leope, because they’re the ones who the evidence is pointing to as having benefited from this entire thing,” Behari testified.
The testimony placed two names at the centre of an inquiry probing governance failures, political influence and alleged abuse of public funds within Ekurhuleni — a municipality already under intense scrutiny.
Leope responded swiftly and emphatically.
In a statement, he dismissed the allegations as “false, misleading and unsubstantiated,” accusing Behari of attempting to shift attention away from his own challenges.
“I categorically deny any involvement in wrongdoing, misconduct, or unethical activity of any kind,” Leope said.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication.”
Positioning himself as a target of reputational harm, Leope said he had conducted his career in broadcasting, entrepreneurship and community development with integrity and transparency.
He rejected any suggestion that he unlawfully benefitted from municipal processes or colluded with officials.
“I have not benefited from any improper conduct. I have not influenced any legal or administrative processes unlawfully,” he said, adding that he reserves his legal rights against what he described as defamatory claims.
Leope further expressed confidence that the commission’s work would ultimately separate fact from allegation.
He urged the public and media to exercise caution and verify claims before amplifying them, warning of the damage caused by untested accusations.
At the same time, he said he would cooperate with any lawful investigation grounded in evidence and fairness.
The Madlanga Commission continues on Tuesday, with Behari expected to return to the stand.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics