Donell Mbele, the 23-year-old son of South African actress Sonia Mbele, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court recently on charges related to an alleged incident involving his 17-year-old girlfriend. The incident, which reportedly took place in December 2024, led to Mbele facing two charges of rape. He was granted bail in the amount of R1,000, and his next court appearance is set for February 10, 2025.
According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the young woman filed a report with Sandton Police, describing an evening she spent with Mbele at Clear Water Mall on December 14. After their time at the mall, the couple decided to visit another location. The woman claims that Mbele suggested they stop by his home to charge his phone, and it was there that the alleged incident occurred.
In the days leading up to his court appearance, Mbele shared a post on his Instagram, featuring a picture of a church and a Bible, along with a scripture from Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you, declares the Lord.” The post was seen by some as a personal message in the context of the ongoing legal matters.
The young woman later shared her experience publicly, explaining that while she initially consented to the encounter, she later changed her mind and asked Mbele to stop. She described feeling upset and hurt, as her requests were not heeded.
This is not the first time Mbele has faced legal challenges. In 2022, another former girlfriend accused him of abusive behavior, drawing attention to concerns about his past conduct. Sonia Mbele, a prominent actress and producer of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, has spoken publicly about her son’s actions. She expressed her disapproval of the situation, stating that Donell must take responsibility for his actions and that he would need professional support, such as therapy and rehabilitation, to move forward in a positive direction.
The case continues to attract public attention, with the court proceedings set to resume in February 2025. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how both the legal and personal aspects of this situation will be addressed.
