Maweni in court again for serious assault charges

Traditional healer Makhotso Lee-Anne Mofokeng (38), popular known as Gogo Maweni, pleaded not guilty at the start of her trial at the Protea Magistrate Court, on May 5.

Maweni faces charges of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) following an alleged incident that occurred in December 19, 2019, in Dlamini.

Celiwe Khulu was the state’s first witness to take the stand during the trial.

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Khulu testified that Gogo Maweni assaulted her by striking her with a beer bottle and verbally insulting her.

“I received a call from my boyfriend at the time to meet him outside.

“When I went to see him, the accused came from behind, hit my head, and then, when I turned around, struck my mouth with a beer bottle. I had a cut on my head and a broken tooth,” she said.

She said that after the incident, she went to the police station, but the police advised her to seek emergency medical care first before opening a case, given the serious condition she was in.

“The police escorted me to Chiawelo Clinic for emergency care, but I was later transferred to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital due to the severity of my injuries, where I was attended to by a doctor,” further testified Khulu.

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Khulu said that when she arrived at the healthcare centre, she found the accused there, who kept insulting her, calling her a ‘bitch’ and stating that even if she opened a case, it wouldn’t go anywhere because she will bribe the police.

She revealed that this was not the first time she had been harassed by the accused.

Advocate Riaan Gissing, the legal representative for Gogo Maweni, requested a postponement, stating that his client, who is six months pregnant, was not feeling well. The case has been remanded to Thursday, June 12.