The estranged wife of well-known Limpopo businessman Mr Goddard Mugwena, Dorries Mthembi, briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate´s Court last Friday on more than 100 counts of fraud, involving more than R400 000.
The case was postponed to September 30 for a High Court date. Mthembi, who now resides at Ha Mangilasi, with her new live-in lover, well-known actor Joe Ragwala, stood as a lone figure in an almost empty courtroom when she appeared before magistrate Tshilidzini Ndou.
Unlike her previous appearances, when she was surrounded by supporters, only a handful of well-wishers attended the proceedings.
The complainant in the matter, businessman Goddard Mugwena, was not present in court. Also not present were the advocates who used to represent her in her previous appearances, and she was represented by lawyers from the Legal Aid Board, after allegedly pleading poverty.
Mthembi made headlines in 2009 when she eloped from her marital love nest for the well-known actor. The much-publicized love affair destroyed the two families as Ragwala also broke up with his wife many years.
She also made headlines in 2009 when her husband accused her of hiring hitmen to kill him in order to inherit his wealth. The estranged wife appeared with the three alleged hired assasins and they were granted bail. The case is still continuing. Her live-in lover, Joe Ragwala, was also arrested for allegedly threatening Mugwenan. His case was also joined to Mthembi and others.
Mashudu Nekhumbe prosecuted.