POLOKWANE – Prominent celebrity sangoma and rehabilitation centre owner Tebogo Shokane, widely known as ‘Master Kortes’, has opened a criminal defamation case following explosive social media allegations accusing him of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.

Shokane laid charges at the Westenburg Police Station after multiple social media accounts alleged he committed the crime at his rehabilitation facility.

The posts, which spread rapidly online, also claimed he had been arrested.

Capricorn police spokesperson Capt Lesiba Ramoshaba has confirmed that no case related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor could be traced against Shokane.

In response, Shokane has taken legal steps against seven social media accounts he says are responsible for fuelling the allegations.

He applied for protection orders against individuals with identifiable names at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, seeking to bar them from further mentioning him publicly while investigations unfold.

He insists he does not know the minor he is accused of abusing and describes the allegations as a deliberate attempt to destroy his reputation and business.

“It seems the intention is to ruin my image in society.

“If there was a legitimate complaint, it should have been presented to law enforcement for proper investigation, not tried and convicted on social media,” he said.

Shokane, who operates a drug rehabilitation centre and is frequently seen in local celebrity circles, said the claims have severely affected his standing in the community and relationships built on trust with clients.

He further alleged that some of the social media accounts spreading the claims appear to be parody or ghost profiles with no followers or identifiable history.

He has now challenged those behind the accusations to substantiate their claims in court.

The case has reignited debate over the use of social media to circulate unverified allegations.

In recent years, public figures including Social Development MEC Florence Radzilani and Polokwane Mayor John Mpe have approached the Limpopo High Court to seek legal remedies against defamatory online content.

Shokane says he will rely on the justice system to clear his name.

“I will defend my name through the authorities. The truth must prevail,” he said.