2025 in Review: Court battles, controversies and celebrity fallouts

January 5, 2026 16

Black Coffee and Mbali Mlotshwa: A divorce played out in court

One of the most closely watched celebrity legal battles of 2025 has been the ongoing divorce dispute between internationally acclaimed DJ Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo and his estranged wife, Mbali Mlotshwa.

In a major development, the Supreme Court of Appeal granted Black Coffee leave to challenge an October 2025 High Court ruling that upheld the validity of his customary marriage to Mlotshwa. The Johannesburg High Court had found that the couple entered into a customary marriage in 2011, which was in community of property, and ruled that their civil marriage, concluded six years later, was legally void.

Under the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998, customary marriages are recognised as valid and are automatically in community of property unless excluded through a pre-marital contract.

At the centre of the legal dispute are the couple’s two sons, with custody and financial support forming a key part of the proceedings. Black Coffee is contesting the High Court’s findings, arguing that there was no factual basis for the spousal maintenance order and disputing claims that the couple had agreed to a customary marriage.

He has further argued that entitlement to maintenance must be proven before such an order can be made.

Hands up to Enhle-Mbali Mlotshwa celebrates her divorce being finalized to Black Coffee.

Enhle-Mbali Mlotshwa walks away with half of Black Coffee’s assets since they were married in community of property. pic.twitter.com/5PcSbjg8pp

— Find The Missing (@_findthemissing) October 11, 2025

Since their separation in 2019, Black Coffee and Mlotshwa have remained in the public eye, with what once appeared to be a love story evolving into a prolonged legal battle over marriage validity, finances and parental responsibility.

Maphorisa breaks silence on Biri Marung controversy

Months after the explosive Biri Marung saga, DJ Maphorisa has finally spoken out, addressing his highly publicised fallout with singer Tebogo G Mashego.

Mashego made headlines in September after accusing Maphorisa online of cheating him out of millions of rands from the 2024 hit song, claiming ownership of the track. He later apologised for his remarks and temporarily stepped away from social media.

Maphorisa has dismissed Mashego’s claims, insisting the singer did not write a single verse of the song. He described the public accusations as humiliating and said accepting the apology has been difficult.

“You just come into the industry with just one song and you arealing so much noise. You didnt even write the song or a single verse in the song. He is so quiet now. It’s such a shame. They were busy sending me texts saying groitmam you have to forgive this young man. That’s the sad part about this whole thing,” says Maphosa.

The controversy was compounded by Mashego’s social media breakdown, which included pleas for financial assistance while stranded in Nigeria and claims that he was owed R23 million by Scorpion Kings.

Tebogo G Mashego apologies to Dj Maphorisa & Dj Karri…and he still stand with “2Woshort are byao” pic.twitter.com/ugCYcNBcDo

— THE AUDIO LAB (@TheAudioLabSA) October 15, 2025

The drama sparked widespread debate online, prompting Mashego’s family to issue an emotional public statement addressing his wellbeing.

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International spotlight: Diddy trial fallout

Internationally, embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs remained in the headlines following allegations by employees that they were not being paid while he served a federal prison sentence.

Staff members claimed that despite Combs’ wealth being managed by business firm Tri Star Sports & Entertainment, payments for completed work were delayed, with at least one employee resigning as a result. A spokesperson for Combs denied the allegations, describing them as “inaccurate and misleading”.

Combs was convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, after evidence revealed he flew girlfriends and male sex workers across the country for drug-fuelled sexual encounters. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

The trial featured emotional testimony from his former partner, singer Cassie, who detailed years of alleged abuse.

Now 55, Combs is expected to be released in May 2028, although participation in rehabilitation and prison programmes could see his sentence reduced. He has consistently denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings.