Eugene Mthethwa, EFF MP and founder of the famous South African music group Trompies, has sparked controversy after being accused of harassment by well-known record producer Stanley Khoza. The accusations followed Mthethwa’s social media rant, where he criticized prominent music administrators in the South African entertainment industry, questioning their credibility and qualifications.
In a post that has since drawn significant attention, Mthethwa compared these administrators to figures like Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung in soccer, asking, “In soccer, we know who Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung are and why they lead in the soccer fraternity. In the music fraternity, who are these [administrators]? Which record company do they own? Which artists were made by them?” He also expressed frustration with what he sees as the suppression of artists by these industry veterans, claiming their needs have been ignored for far too long.
His comments, which targeted key figures in the South African music scene, quickly escalated, prompting a strong response from Stanley Khoza. Khoza, a seasoned producer, accused Mthethwa of ongoing harassment, claiming that despite staying silent for a long time, he could no longer overlook Mthethwa’s behavior. “I never expected him to stoop that low as a parliamentarian,” Khoza said, expressing his dismay at the personal attacks on his professional credentials.
Khoza revealed that he is now consulting with a lawyer to explore legal action against Mthethwa. He further emphasized that Mthethwa had been dismissing his established music credentials, which are publicly verifiable. This confrontation has added fuel to the already simmering tensions between various factions in the South African music industry.
Mthethwa’s actions have raised eyebrows, especially given his dual role as a public figure in both politics and entertainment. His social media posts and the subsequent fallout with a respected industry professional have placed him in the spotlight, raising questions about the relationship between South Africa’s music industry and the political sphere. As of now, Mthethwa has not publicly responded to the harassment allegations.
