Controversial former Operation Dudula leader, Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli, is facing a R1.9 million lawsuit for alleged intellectual property theft. Filmmaker and businesswoman Angel Mabizela has launched legal action against Mohlauli in the Johannesburg High Court, accusing him of stealing and using her business proposal for a Soweto-based rehabilitation centre.
Mabizela’s court affidavit, filed on 18 December, details how Mohlauli allegedly appropriated her “Soweto Parliament Economic, Social and Transformation Reform” concept, renaming it the “Nhlanhla Lux Military School of Rehab” while retaining core elements of her original proposal.
The affidavit states: "In February 2024, I witnessed my concept being used as a spin-off, presented by Lux under his NGO and foundation. The concept is similar to my pages of the original documents relating to drugs, alcohol abuse and employment. The original concept labelled Fight My Addiction Proposal, was supposed to be presented to a business salon project for all projects to work hand in hand."
Mabizela claims that after noticing Mohlauli's alleged appropriation of her idea, she sent him a letter of demand to cease and desist. The affidavit continues: “Ever since the letter was sent to Lux, he overlooked it and he never responded. He avoided the demand, missing the due date of the response.
By virtue, I should receive an automatic judgment against him,” Furthermore, Mabizela expressed concerns about the potential for fraudulent activities within Mohlauli’s NGO, stating in her affidavit: “The focus will be on the personal liabilities of directors of a nonprofit company registered, with a specific focus on gross negligence and fraud. Even though the NGO generally operates to do good, there is always the chance of persons acting contrary to the purpose and goals of the NGO,”
Mohlauli vehemently denies Mabizela's accusations. He refutes ever having received contact from her regarding the alleged intellectual property theft, and challenges the legitimacy of her claim. He stated: “All our foundation programmes are registered. Is this copyright claimer even registered? Does he have a copyright certificate? I want to emphasise that I don’t have, and I have never had, a rehab in Soweto. These claims are false and a desperate attempt for clout and fame.”
This latest controversy is far from Mohlauli's first brush with the law. He previously gained notoriety following his arrest in July 2023. Operation Dudula members, under Mohlauli's leadership at the time, raided the home of Victor Ramerafe in Dobsonville, Soweto, in a drug raid that resulted in the ransacking of the property. According to Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, Mohlauli was subsequently sentenced in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court.
He received a two-year suspended sentence for housebreaking and a five-year suspended sentence for malicious damage to property. Prosecutor Linda Duma argued for a harsher sentence, stating that the court should send a strong message that lawlessness cannot be tolerated.
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