'Brickz told me girl was a relative'

IN a shock revelation made in court on Friday, it emerged that the teenager allegedly raped by kwaito star Sipho "Brickz" Ndlovu might be his blood relative.

When Ndlovu was arrested three weeks ago, after his wife, Nqobile, apparently helped the girl to lay a charge of rape against him, it was assumed that the girl was from Nqobile's side of the family.

But Constable Lindokwake Hlongwane testified during Ndlovu's bail hearing at the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court that he had responded to a complaint at the star's Northwold home in October. This was soon after the rape charge had been laid. Ndlovu, Nqobile, the girl and a friend were allegedly discussing the matter.

In his testimony, Hlongwane said he found the Ndlovus inside and a young girl being comforted by a friend .

"I asked who had called the police and they [Ndlovu and Nqobile] said they didn't know.

"I asked what was going on with the girl, and his wife said the girl had opened a rape case against her husband at the Honeydew police station.

"I asked about the relationship between them and the girl. He [Ndlovu] said the girl crying was his [relative].

"I asked why she was crying, was she assaulted? He said no," Hlongwane said.

Sunday World is not outlining the exact relationship between Ndlovu and his accuser so as not to reveal her identity.

He added that the girl wouldn't say why she was crying when he went outside to speak to her.

"I asked to assist her and she said she wanted to go to Soweto to her father."

Hlongwane said no arrests were made during the incident .

When asked by Ndlovu's lawyer, Isaac Mokgobi, what the atmosphere in the house was like, Hlongwane responded: "It was good. They kept holding each other in my presence."

It also emerged in court that the distress call was made from Soweto.

Addressing magistrate Tiep Kotze, state prosecutor William le Roux said Ndlovu should remain in custody because he had a history of not appearing in court and did not have a stable job.

But Mokgobi argued that his client would lose all income and his dignity if bail was denied .

The Sweety My Baby hitmaker, who looked worn out, remained in custody over the weekend. His bail hearing resumes tomorrow.

At his court appearance on Friday, there were no family members to speak of. However, So You Think You Can Dance judge Themba Nofomele was there.

"He's my friend and I will come every day to support him," he said.

When Sunday World visited Ndlovu's grandmother's house in Zola, Soweto, she only said: "I have nothing to say about this."

A woman, who refused to identify herself, sitting in the living room of the four-roomed house, said: "This is a family matter that has happened to both the children here at home."

When prompted about Brickz's parents, his niece Dolly said: "Brickz doesn't have a mother."

She shrugged her shoulders when asked about his father and walked away.

ndawos@sundayworld.co.za