Sizwe Sibiya
After 15 years doing comedy, Mzansi’s tallest comedian, Toll Ass Mo, was forced to retire at the age of 35 over rape allegations that were levelled against him in 2020.
Model Lerato Moloi, who became the first black face of Elizabeth Arden cosmetics in 2009, had accused the comedian of rape that she said had happened while she was working on a television production in Paarl, Western Cape in 2014.
The court acquitted Toll Ass, whose real name is Mongezi Mahlangu, on Tuesday 16 August. But his name was tarnished and he said his family had been forced to move from Sandton in Johannesburg to a “secret farm in Pretoria” for his safety.
“When the magistrate handed over her judgement it was very loud and clear that Lerato’s accusations were untruthful. They were unreliable and it was considered to be a belligerent lie,” said Toll Ass Mo on Friday, 19 August, speaking to Newzroom Afrika.
The comedian said that due to the damage this has caused to the family and his career, he will be suing Moloi and her supporters who he says had condemned him as guilty before the court verdict.
“Drastic steps will be taken against the accusers,” read a statement released by the comedian’s representative Mike Bolhuis.
“Criminal charges such as a case of slander, defamation, crimen injuria, as well as civil charges with regards to total costs incurred and comprehensive loss of income suffered will be brought against them.”
Image source: Twitter
