South African DJ and music producer Euphonik is seeking the sequestration of poet and activist Ntsiki Mazwai’s estate, after the sheriff of the court reportedly found that her movable assets amount to just R1,500.
The move stems from a protracted legal battle dating back to 2021, when Euphonik, real name Themba Mbongeni Nkosi, sought an interdict to bar Mazwai from making further allegedly defamatory remarks about him on social media.
This came after Mazwai referred to him as a “rapist” in online posts — comments linked to past, unproven sexual assault allegations that Euphonik has consistently denied.
In 2022, the Johannesburg High Court ruled in Euphonik’s favour, ordering Mazwai to pay R104,000 in damages and legal costs. Despite obtaining several writs of attachment against her, Euphonik says Mazwai has only paid R6,000 to date.
In court papers filed recently, Euphonik detailed his efforts to recover the debt. He noted that on 7 March 2023, a third writ was personally served on Mazwai at her Johannesburg North residence.
A subsequent visit by the sheriff on 11 March confirmed that her movable assets were valued at only R1,500.
“Given the paltry nature of the assets owned by Mazwai, it is clear she is unable to pay her debts,” Euphonik argued.
“The respondent does not possess immovable property or sufficient assets to satisfy the cost orders and/or her indebtedness to me. It is just and equitable that the respondent’s estate be wound up.”
Sequestration is a legal process by which a person is declared insolvent and their estate is liquidated in order to repay creditors.
The defamation case arose from several posts Mazwai made in 2021, including tweets that accused promoters and fellow DJs of supporting alleged abusers.
In one tweet, she urged DJs not to perform with Euphonik, saying: “Show every survivor of gender-based violence your respect and support,” and included the hashtag #muteeuphonik.
In another tweet, she wrote: “If you wanna see the other rapists, watch who is rallying behind other rapist[s]. When DJs put each other on line-ups, it’s like an invitation to rape the groupies party.”
She also tweeted in March 2021: “There is now an event on Sunday with a known rapist and a known domestic abuser on the line-up. And you will rally and clap hands like a bunch of monkeys who can’t tell right from wrong.”
Mazwai has previously defended her comments as activism and free speech, particularly around gender-based violence.
The court is yet to rule on Euphonik’s sequestration application.
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