Lion King producer Lebohang Morake, popularly known as Lebo M, has been slapped with a R5 million defamation lawsuit by his former business associate, Sibongakonke Khayelitsha Mhlungu, for allegedly “falsely” accusing him of stealing R10 million.
Mhlungu has asked the Johannesburg High Court to grant an order compelling Morake to pay him the staggering amount.
The amount consists of R2.5 million for reputational damage and an additional R2.5 million for loss of sponsorships.
Mhlungu also wants the court to grant an order compelling Morake to publicly apologise and retract the allegations he made against him.
In court papers seen by Africa Daily, Mhlungu said he enjoyed a professional relationship with Morake, and that his company, Independent Media Group Africa Talent Management (Pty) Ltd (IMG), rendered services to the internationally revered icon over the past few years.
He said their relationship ended during or about September 2025 following a dispute relating to post-event accounting for a joint project styled “Lebo M Live”.
He said that after the termination of their relationship, Morake caused a defamatory post to be published on a popular social media blog called Maphepha Ndaba on or about 16 September 2025, in which he accused him of stealing R10 million.
“The ordinary meaning conveyed by the post, which was caused by the defendant, in context, was that the plaintiff stole or unlawfully appropriated R10 million from the defendant,” he stated.
He further said the post suggested that he was dishonest, fraudulent and untrustworthy in business, and had engaged in criminal conduct warranting public censure.
“The defendant was the direct cause of the online defamatory publication concerning the plaintiff,” he said.
Mhlungu said that, in addition to the post, Morake told radio personality Anele Mdoda that he had “stolen R10 million” from him.
“On or about 17 September 2025, the defendant stated to Mr Vukile Zondi, a strategic consultant contracted for the same project, that the plaintiff had stolen or misappropriated R10 million and that he, the defendant, intended to go public with the accusation. Mr Zondi has confirmed that no evidence was presented by the defendant in support of these statements,” he stated.
He said the allegations Morake made were factually false, published and/or communicated without any lawful justification, and were intended to convey defamatory imputations which were per se wrongful against him.
“The allegations are false and the plaintiff has never stolen, misappropriated or unlawfully dealt with any funds belonging to the defendant. The defendant knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the allegations were false before publishing them, recklessly as to the truth,” he stated.
Mhlungu further said that, upon learning of the allegations, he pleaded with Morake to retract the allegations and apologise for damaging his image. He communicated this in letters of demand sent to Morake on 18 September and 25 September 2025, respectively.
“He refused to retract, apologise, or withdraw the allegations despite written demands to do so,” he said.
Mhlungu said that, as a result of the alleged false allegations, he suffered severe reputational harm, emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation.
He also said he suffered the loss of current and prospective business opportunities in the entertainment and sponsorship sectors.
“As a result of the defamatory statements and publications, the plaintiff has suffered damages in the amount of R5 000 000 (Five million rand),” he stated in the papers.
This consists of patrimonial damages in the amount of R2.5 million arising from the loss of sponsorships, commercial opportunities, endorsements and/or business engagements within the entertainment, media and sponsorship sectors, and a further R2.5 million in general damages for defamation, including injury to dignity, reputation, good name, emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and impairment of professional standing.
Mhlungu also wants an order compelling Morake to apologise and retract the allegations against him within five days of judgment.
Morake’s PR Specialist Simphiwe Majola said he will vigorously defend himself against the lawsuit .
He said Morake is further considering launching a counter lawsuit against Mhlungu.
“At this stage, the matter is receiving the necessary legal attention and will be addressed accordingly within the framework of the law,” he said.
