A shocking incident of alleged domestic violence has emerged involving renowned actor Sello Maake Kancube and his estranged wife, Pearl Mbewe.
The catalyst for the violent altercation, which took place on October 7, was a used condom discovered under the bed of Maake Kancube’s home in Dube, Soweto.
Mbewe, who had been staying with the actor for a week, reportedly stumbled upon the condom while doing some spring cleaning. The discovery sent her into a whirlwind of emotions, leading to a confrontation with Maake Kancube. According to sources close to the couple, she confronted him about the condom, sending him a picture of it and demanding an explanation.
In his response, Maake Kancube claimed the condom was not his and suggested that it might belong to his daughter, Lerato, asserting that she could have brought a man into the house to have tlof tlof with him.
“She was dumbfounded because Lerato has a room outside,” said a source familiar with the situation. The actor further insisted that Lerato’s room was always messy, leading him to believe it was unlikely she would have used it.
The tension escalated when Mbewe learned that Maake Kancube’s female neighbour was already aware of the condom before she discovered it. This revelation added fuel to the fire as the couple argued about the implications of the discovery. The altercation quickly turned physical, with Maake Kancube allegedly choking Mbewe and dragging her across the floor.
“He fought with her and ended up choking her and pinning her to the ground. He then dragged her on the floor because he wanted car keys when she wanted to leave,” the source revealed.
The struggle for the keys reportedly turned even more violent when Maake Kancube allegedly reached into Mbewe’s bra in his attempt to find them, tearing it apart in the process.
Feeling overwhelmed and trapped, Mbewe decided to take action. She contacted their lawyer via email, seeking to initiate divorce proceedings. “Sello must tell the truth: staying with his daughter, who is 38 years old with two children in that small house, was the centre of their marital problems,” said the informant.
The source also noted that financial issues contributed to their strained relationship. Mbewe believed that Lerato often took money from her father and used his credit card to cover expenses for her friends, which added to the tension between the couple.
“When he took back his card at Pearl’s behest, her friends stopped inviting her,” the source explained.
As the couple stands on the brink of finalising their divorce in the Johannesburg High Court, their negotiations have become contentious.
“Sello was upset about the email, as she had copied him. They are currently negotiating a settlement between them, but he wants to be the plaintiff and wants her to become the respondent in the divorce case,” the source revealed.
Mbewe, described by sources as a “Psalm 31 wife,” had hoped their marriage would endure. However, her frustration with Maake Kancube’s controlling behaviour led her to reconsider the relationship. “There is a difference between wanting a doting wife who does not eat the bread of idleness and wanting to be a narcissist and a control freak,” the informant stated.
Just months prior, Maake Kancube had told Mbewe, “I’m your purpose in life,” a comment she found deeply troubling, equating his assertion to a comparison with God. This dynamic contributed to her decision to seek a divorce, a move she believes is necessary for her well-being.
Mbewe confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, stating, “I’m too upset to talk about that or any matter. I would not want to talk about it at this stage.” Meanwhile, Maake Kancube has chosen to remain silent on the issue, referring inquiries to his lawyer, Gert van der Merwe, who stated that the actor prefers not to comment on his private life.
