Thembela Khamango

Thembela Khamango

Actor Ronnie "Papa Action" Nyakale gave an outstanding performance as a television thug and seems to be doing a good impersonation in real life too.

Barely an hour after his appearance on charges of assaulting and kidnapping Sowetan reporter Vusi Ndlovu on Thursday, Nyakale was arrested again for similar charges.

Nyakale, 34, and Jackie Maarohanye are accused of kidnapping and assaulting Ithuteng Trust's former student Simphiwe Ncuguthu in May last year.

It is believed the accused assaulted Ncuguthu after having accused him of "knowing too much" about the school.

Maarohanye, 49, was arrested and released on R2000 bail in connection with the same case last year, but it was later struck off the roll because the docket was taken to the wrong court.

Police spokesman Constable Sefako Xaba confirmed Nyakale's arrest.

"Nyakale appeared in court on Friday and he was released on warning," Xaba said.

Xaba said that the Ndlovu and Ncuguthu cases had been combined. Trial resumes for both cases on May 15 in the Protea magistrates' court.

l Maarohanye will spend almost half of May in court because her other case will be back in court for trial on May 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Maarohanye is facing charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and theft after she and her students allegedly barricaded the Old Potch Road and stoned a police vehicle while protesting, accusing the police of not doing their job when Victor Mohale, whom they have accused of murder, was not arrested.