THE FUSE

Former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Pule Mabe this month made an unusual late‑night visit to a Johannesburg police station to seek a court protection order against his wife, who in turn accused him of domestic violence, according to court and police reports.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 9 at Douglasdale police station, began with what Mabe described as a heated marital dispute over a family matter. Telling duty officers his wife, identified only as Elsie, was “wandering the streets intoxicated,” Mabe requested assistance and sought a protection order to keep her away from him. When Elsie arrived at the station to file a domestic violence complaint, the couple reportedly clashed again in front of police.

In comments to Sunday Times, Elsie characterised the clash as a minor altercation blown out of proportion by stress linked to ongoing fraud charges the couple face over a R27 million tender for municipal waste vehicles in Alexandra a matter both deny as overly sensational. “We are not okay … mentally,” she said, describing their relationship strain.

Police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that while no criminal charges had been lodged at the time, both parties were advised on legal avenues, with Mabe directed to pursue his protection order application through the courts. The magistrate’s court in nearby Ekurhuleni will hear related matters as legal processes proceed.

The public airing of their private dispute underscores the complex intersections between personal relationships and high‑profile political figures, fuelling debate about domestic conflict, alcohol use, and legal protections in South Africa’s legal framework.

Private investigator Tyrone Power has disputed claims by Minister Gayton McKenzie that he was hired to investigate the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, stating that he works for free for the missing girl’s family and that some of McKenzie’s statements are not true .

Power Clarifies His Role

Power told Rapport that while he is investigating the Joshlin Smith case, he is doing so pro bono for the family and was not appointed by McKenzie .

“I read things in the media and wonder whether Gayton is talking about me or perhaps about someone else he did appoint. I work for free for Joshlin’s family and was not appointed by him. Some of the things he says, I did not say,” Power said .

When McKenzie contacted him, Power said he told the minister, “I do things on my own”. McKenzie then offered to help “with resources” and gave him money to cover travel and accommodation costs . Power added that he has since cut ties with the minister .

Disputed Claims

At the launch of the Joshlin Smith Foundation last weekend, McKenzie claimed he had hired a private investigator to find the missing girl from Saldanha Bay . The minister also said state witness Laurentia Lombaard was willing to provide extra information about the case and that her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, could be the “mastermind” behind the kidnapping . McKenzie further stated that they regard Joshlin as still alive .

Power disputed these claims. “[Lombaard] never said she wanted to talk to the police or that her child was assaulted. That’s not true. I also did not say Joshlin is still alive. I said I regard her as alive until we have forensic evidence that proves the contrary,” he said .

Investigation Continues

Power said he has uncovered new information in the case and has handed it to the police’s organised crime unit in the Western Cape . He also claimed he sent the information to McKenzie’s lawyer but did not hear back .

Joshlin was six years old when she disappeared from the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 . Her mother, Kelly Smith, and co-accused Boeta Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced last year to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping . The search for Joshlin continues .