The 23-year-old son of actress Sonia Mbele, Donell Mbele, made his second appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, looking formal in a black suit. He is facing two charges of rape and his appearance was brief, with the case being postponed to March for further investigation. Donell is currently out on R1,000 bail.
The prosecutor, Given Mbenzi, requested more time for the State to consult with the complainant in order to strengthen the case. Donell is expected to return to court on 21 March 2025 for further proceedings.
The charges against Donell Mbele stem from a complaint filed with the South African Police Service (Saps) in Sandton by his 17-year-old girlfriend. She alleges that Donell raped her on two separate occasions, on 14 and 15 December 2024, at his home in Morningside.
According to the complainant, they were out on a date at Clearwater Mall on the 14th when they decided to move to a different venue after the restaurant they were at was closing. Donell suggested they stop at his residence to charge his phone, and it was there that the alleged incidents occurred.
After being granted bail, Donell posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account, referring to himself as “God’s Child.” Following the serious charges against him, Showmax has decided to remove him from the reality show “Born Into Fame.” The show focuses on the lives of media personalities’ children and how they navigate being born into the spotlight of their parents while trying to establish their own identities.
According to a source close to the show’s production, the decision to remove Donell from the show was made to avoid appearing as rape apologists. They stated that only if Donell is proven innocent will he have the opportunity to return to the show. Having someone facing rape charges on the show would tarnish the company’s reputation and they want to maintain a positive image.
The case against Donell Mbele is ongoing, and the outcome of the trial will determine his future involvement in the show and his public image. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
