Johannesburg – Social media personality Musa Khawula, aged 33, will remain in custody for at least another week as the Randburg District Court has refused him bail.

Khawula appeared in court on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, facing multiple charges including crimen injuria, a breach of Section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act 19 of 2020, and hate speech.

The court has mandated that Khawula stays in detention until 21 January 2025, when his formal bail application will be reviewed.

He is alleged to have made derogatory comments on his popular social media platform between 10 and 12 October 2024, purportedly intending to harm or tarnish the reputation of 44-year-old businessman Zee Nxumalo.

The accused was arrested in Dundee, KwaZulu Natal, under an arrest warrant (J50).

“In court, the prosecution opposed bail on account of the accused’s pending murder case from 2022 in Free State and an active arrest warrant for reckless and negligent driving,” said Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.

“Furthermore, Sergeant Mabunda’s investigation has revealed that the accused’s profile and residence details require confirmation to help prepare a thorough statement for the bail application.”