Media personality and entrepreneur Sbu “DJ Sbu” Leope has strongly denied allegations that he and former ANC Gauteng secretary Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza unlawfully benefitted from more than R100 million in Grants-in-Aid from the City of Ekurhuleni.
The claims emerged on Monday during testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where the City of Ekurhuleni’s suspended head of Legal and Risk Services, advocate Kemi Behari, implicated the two men while detailing alleged governance failures within the municipality.
Explosive Testimony at Madlanga Commission
Appearing before the commission, Behari told the inquiry that internal investigations pointed to Leope and Nciza as central beneficiaries of the controversial grants programme.
“I said to my HOD at the time, the only people we can call now is TK Nciza and Sbu Leope, because they’re the ones who the evidence is pointing to as having benefited from this entire thing,” Behari testified.
The remarks placed both men at the centre of a widening probe examining allegations of political interference, abuse of public funds and systemic governance breakdowns in Ekurhuleni — a municipality already facing heightened public scrutiny.
DJ Sbu Responds: ‘False and Misleading’
Leope responded swiftly, issuing a statement in which he categorically rejected the allegations.
“I categorically deny any involvement in wrongdoing, misconduct, or unethical activity of any kind,” he said. “Any suggestion to the contrary is false, misleading and unsubstantiated.”
He further accused Behari of attempting to divert attention from his own legal and professional challenges by making unproven claims.
Leope said his career in broadcasting, entrepreneurship and community development has been guided by transparency and integrity, and denied ever benefiting unlawfully from municipal funds or influencing administrative processes.
“I have not benefited from any improper conduct. I have not influenced any legal or administrative processes unlawfully,” he said.
Legal Action Not Ruled Out
Leope warned that the allegations had caused reputational harm and said he reserves his legal rights against what he described as defamatory statements.
At the same time, he expressed confidence in the Madlanga Commission’s mandate to establish facts rather than rely on allegation.
“I will cooperate with any lawful investigation grounded in evidence and fairness,” he said, urging the public and media to exercise caution when reporting on untested claims.
Commission Continues
The Madlanga Commission is expected to continue its hearings on Tuesday, with Behari set to return to the witness stand as the inquiry deepens its examination into alleged corruption and governance failures in Ekurhuleni.
