The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued a formal apology to actress and businesswoman Sonia Mbele after coming under fire for involving her in her son Donell’s legal troubles. The NPA had initially released a media statement in which Mbele’s name was mentioned in connection with Donell’s assault case. Following widespread backlash on social media, the statement was retracted and deleted.
The controversy erupted after the NPA’s press release, which discussed Donell Mbele’s court appearance on charges of rape, referred to him as “the son of a renowned actress.” Many felt the inclusion of Mbele’s name was unnecessary and unfair, especially since she had no involvement in the case. Public outrage quickly followed, with many questioning the professionalism and judgment of the NPA.
Responding to the backlash, the NPA issued a second statement on January 22, 2025, apologising for the error. The statement read: “We acknowledge that how the statement was crafted does not align with our high standards of professionalism and integrity. It reflected poor judgment that was unfortunately allowed to slip through the standard quality control measures to which we subject our media statements.
Retraction and Deletion of Media Statement Issued on Monday, 20 January 2025
The NPA went on to express regret, particularly for the distress caused to Sonia Mbele. “We sincerely and unreservedly apologise for any harm or distress caused, particularly to the mother indirectly referred to in the statement, and to all members of the public in general.”
Despite the apology, the damage had been done. Many on social media voiced their frustration, calling the apology “too little, too late” and questioning the NPA’s ability to handle sensitive matters with the level of professionalism expected from such an institution.
Mbele has not publicly commented on the retraction but is understood to have been considering legal action prior to the NPA’s apology. The incident has sparked wider discussions on how public institutions communicate in high-profile cases, particularly when they involve the families of accused individuals.
