Gospel artist says her life is ruined following the arrest of a namesake for the Deacon murders
Since the news of the Deacon murders, Sophy Mmako says her music is no longer enjoying airtime on radio stations and bookings are drying up.
POLOKWANE – Gospel artist, Sophy Mmako, has come forward to appeal to the community to not mistake her for her namesake who has been accused of murder. Sophy, who has released six albums, says her life has changed since people have been saying she was involved in the murder of businesswoman Lizette Deacon and her mother, Hettie, almost a month ago.
The women’s domestic worker, also named Sophie Mmako (51), is one of four people accused of the murder, and according to sources masterminded the crime.
Read more: Domestic worker one of two more arrests in Deacon murder case
Sophy, who is also the presenter of a cultural and gospel show on GLFM on Sundays, sat down with BONUS and said her name has been tarnished. “I want the community to know I am not a murdered, I am a Christian. My image as a gospel artist has been tainted. I can’t even go to church and my family members have become depressed,” she said.
She said she entered several awards competitions, where organisers subsequently phoned her to ask if she was the “Sophie” that had been arrested. “I can’t even take a walk in the mall or go to church because of this. My children have received countless calls from friends asking them if it’s really their mother who has been accused of murder. This is really affects me as a family woman,” she said.
Read more: Deacon murders: Bail denied, date set for trial
She said it has reached a point where she considers changing her surname or making use of a double-barrel surname to find some relief from the situation. Since the news of the Deacon murders, her music is no longer enjoying airtime on radio stations and booking are drying up, she said.
“I can’t even walk outside anymore without being labelled a murderer. My latest album was doing so well until this scandal surfaced.”
