The long-simmering tension between two of South Africa’s biggest icons has reached a boiling point. Grammy-winning producer Lebo M has issued a scorching rebuttal against veteran broadcaster Robert Marawa, accusing him of publishing “demonstrably false” and defamatory statements in his 2022 biography, Gqim Shelele: The Robert Marawa Story.
Nearly four years after the book’s release, Lebo M is taking a stand to “correct the public record,” confirming that he has officially instructed his legal team to pursue formal recourse.
The Bone of Contention: Maintenance and Court Records
The dispute centers on a specific chapter in Marawa’s book regarding a maintenance battle with actress Zoe Mthiyane. In the biography, Marawa claims that Lebo M took the stand to testify about petty expenses—such as DStv usage and gardening services—and asserts that Mthiyane “lost the case with costs.”
Lebo M has slammed this narrative, citing official court documents from the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court that tell a different story:
- The Verdict: Lebo M asserts that the court did not rule against Mthiyane with costs.
- The Payout: He claims the court actually ordered Marawa to pay monthly maintenance covering lodging, schooling, groceries, and transport.
- The Testimony: Lebo M disputes the trivialized framing of his involvement, arguing that the legal action was a necessary response to a “dereliction of paternal responsibility.”
“Principles, Not Theatrics”
Lebo M was quick to dismiss any suggestions that his sudden legal push is a bid for media attention. In a strongly worded statement, the Lion King producer emphasized that defending his reputation is a matter of integrity.
“Protecting one’s name, reputation, and lived truth is not theatrics; it is principle… Any attempt to now reframe legitimate accountability as ‘attention-seeking’ is intellectually dishonest and legally precarious.” — Lebo M
He further questioned Marawa’s public persona, suggesting that the broadcaster’s narrative of being a present father contradicts the very existence of the 2022 legal proceedings.
What’s Next? Facts vs. Biographies
As it stands, the ball is in the legal court. Lebo M has made it clear that he no longer wishes to engage in a public “he-said, she-said” battle, preferring to let the evidence speak in a court of law.
Key Stakes:
- Public Record: Lebo M seeks a formal retraction or correction of the claims in Gqim Shelele.
- Reputational Damage: Potential for a significant defamation lawsuit if the court finds Marawa’s claims were indeed “false.”
- The Response: Robert Marawa has yet to issue a public statement regarding the allegations or the looming legal action.
