Johannesburg – Award-winning South African singer Amanda Black has firmly denied shocking allegations that she was raped by fellow musician Sjava, calling the rumours "entirely false" and slamming the dangerous power of social media speculation.
The "Amazulu" hitmaker became an unexpected trending topic after a resurfaced tweet – allegedly from an account bearing her name – claimed that Sjava (real name Jabulani Hadebe) had raped her. However, the singer has moved swiftly to set the record straight, issuing a direct statement on Instagram to quash the damaging claims.
"Hi everyone, Sjava did not sexually assault me. I have no idea where these rumors came from, but they are not true and did not come from me," Black wrote, putting an end to the controversy.
The rumours initially erupted after a video of Black performing on stage surfaced online. The singer became visibly emotional during the performance, which led some social media users to jump to conclusions. One particular post from user @joy_zelda on X (formerly Twitter) read: "Amanda Black breaks down on stage while performing, thinking of how Sjava raped her."
The post quickly gained traction, sparking heated debates and misinformation across social platforms. However, Amanda's swift and clear denial has defused the situation, bringing relief and appreciation from fans, many of whom had begun to take the accusations seriously, especially given Sjava’s previous legal battle with Lady Zamar.
Sjava has not yet commented on the accusations; however, his fans are greatly relieved, considering his past legal battle with singer Lady Zamar.
In 2019, Zamar (real name Yamikani Banda) accused Sjava of raping her in 2017. She alleged that the incident occurred during their stay at a hotel in Limpopo.
“That morning, we were making out, kissing, and he had invited me into his hotel room. We had never been alone together; while this was happening, suddenly, this person started taking off my clothes, and he raped me,” she alleged.
The allegations led to severe public backlash against him, affecting his career and public image. In 2020, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dismissed the case due to a lack of evidence.
Despite the case being thrown out, the damage was done. Sjava faced job losses, festival cancellations, and industry blacklisting, while Zamar endured online harassment from those who believed she had falsely accused him. The entire ordeal became a highly divisive issue, with both artists suffering long-term consequences.
The latest rumours linking Black to similar allegations could have been equally damaging – not just for Sjava but also for real victims of sexual assault.
False claims undermine the credibility of genuine survivors and contribute to a culture of doubt, making it harder for victims to be believed when they come forward.
Given his history with similar allegations, it’s likely he wants to avoid further public scrutiny.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangerous power of social media rumours. False allegations—especially those of sexual assault—can destroy reputations, careers, and lives. While victims of real abuse must be heard and supported, reckless accusations based on speculation do more harm than good.
With Black shutting down the claims, the focus should now shift to the importance of verifying information before spreading harmful narratives. In an era where public perception can be shaped in a matter of seconds, responsibility and truth must take precedence over sensationalism.
