Nokwazi Ngonyama, wife of former ANC spokesperson and former South African ambassador to Japan, Smuts Ngonyama, is set to reappear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape this Friday to face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This follows multiple court appearances in connection to an incident that took place in 2023, where she allegedly beat their domestic worker, Tandiswa Tokwe, with a broomstick at their residence in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokwe had been employed by the Ngonyama family as a domestic worker since May 2019, when the assault occurred. She claims that Nokwazi Ngonyama never provided a reason for the assault but demanded that she disclose what was happening in the house. Tokwe alleges that she was beaten three times on her thighs and arms with a broomstick. Following the incident, the Ngonyama family reportedly apologized, and Tokwe briefly continued her employment after intervention by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco). However, by 27 July 2023, Tokwe resigned, fearing for her safety, and returned to her home in East London.
In the wake of the assault, Tokwe’s family has expressed their firm resolve to seek justice for their daughter. They condemned the alleged actions of the Ngonyama family, highlighting the abuse of power and the need for accountability. “Tandiswa has been wronged by the politically connected Ngonyama family. The egregious acts of abuse inflicted upon Tandiswa, a dedicated domestic worker, cannot go unnoticed nor unpunished,” the family’s statement read. They further revealed the date and time of the assault, detailing how it occurred on 14 July 2023, early in the morning, in a place where Tokwe should have felt safe.
The family has also voiced their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as tactics to suppress the truth, including a settlement agreement that they allege was designed to silence Tokwe. They called for the Ngonyama family to be held accountable by Dirco and demanded that the legal system prevent Nokwazi Ngonyama from being silenced by an unjust settlement. “The government must implement stronger protections for South African domestic workers in diplomatic missions,” they stated. The family added that this case highlights a larger issue regarding power dynamics and the need for justice in diplomatic circles. They emphasized that no one, regardless of their status, should be allowed to perpetrate abuse without facing the consequences.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eastern Cape spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, confirmed that the matter will be heard in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, marking an important step for the family in their pursuit of justice.
