South African hip hop group Witness The Funk has officially parted ways with founding member Moshine amid rape allegations made against the artist.
Image: Facebook/Witness The Funk
South African hip hop group Witness The Funk has officially parted ways with founding member Moshine, born Nhlakanipho Shongwe.
The announcement was made in an official statement following allegations raised by a woman named Ntombizethu during an appearance on the “Justify” podcast on Wednesday, May 27, where she detailed an alleged sexual assault involving the artist.
Originally rising to fame in the early 2010s with their hit song "Nomusa" and debut album "Finding Nomusa", the group was formed by three UKZN students: Efelow, Charles “Aux Cable” Mchunu and Moshine.
The trio became widely recognised for pioneering the fusion of gqom trap and bomb trap in South African music.
During her podcast interview, Ntombizethu explained that she initially met the trio through a mutual friend.
"We became this group of friends, we'd hang out together, go clubbing together, we were just friends.
"I was more friends with Moshine. It was a friendship that started out as friends, but he did start to develop feelings, but then I was like, 'No'... I loved him as a brother, I couldn't see myself in a relationship with him..."
Fast-forwarding to the night of the incident, a Thursday, Ntombizethu recalled planning to go to Cubana wearing a jersey dress and sneakers when Moshine called and asked to hang out. She and her friend agreed to join them.
"The car was packed, and the song “Panda" played on repeat. We later drank Lemon Twist and Russian Bear (vodka), and were playing a game, everyone was saying what their trauma was... I didn't have trauma to the extent of most of them in the group.
"Moshine called me aside and told me, 'Zethu, I love you, and I want you to know that I will always protect you and I will never let anything bad ever happen to you'. I got emotional and told him that I love him and that I appreciate the friendship we have, you've become my brother."
"Then he goes to the kitchen to get me a drink. This is when he spiked my drink. I didn't know, I was just having this drink."
Later that evening, Ntombizethu began to feel unwell and approached another member, Efelow, for help.
"We were not close, but I went to his room and said, 'I'm not okay, please help me. I don't know what's happening. Please help me.’ But they didn't help; they just said, 'get out.
"I called a friend and told them that I am not alright and I'm about to lose consciousness. They said, ' Send a location. By this time, it is getting worse, and by the time my friend arrives, I am out of it. I can still walk, but I'm out of it.
"She's coming with her sister, and she's also from a Christian background... Moshine told them that I am drunk, and asked why they would want to take someone who is drunk... So my friend left.
"We went back in, my vision by now is on and off, now the drug is taking full throttle, eventually I passed out, and when I did gain consciousness, I don't remember when I turned on my phone recording, cause now I was in survival mode, let me record if anything happens.
"By the time I gained consciousness, in the room that we were in, the guys were standing around, and it was dark, and I'm on the floor, and Moshine is behind me, and he's having sex with me in my unconscious state.
"I turned around and said, 'Moshine, stop it'. He just pushes me, and I pass out again. I don't know how many of them had sex with me that night. I only saw Moshine; I don't know what else happened.
"When I gained consciousness the DJ told me: 'I told you, you are a b****'. I started crying; I remember just feeling helpless. I don't know what happened, it's happened, I closed my eyes. They were debating whether they were going to kill me or take me home, saying that was not part of the plan. Eventually, they took me and dumped me in front of where I used to stay," she said.
Ntombizethu, who was dating Museeq IQ at the time, managed to walk to his house. After she explained what had transpired, he made a few phone calls, told her to shower and advised her to get some sleep.
"He drove me home the next day. I didn't tell anyone. Later in the week, I was okay. I don't know what drug they used, but it put me in a state, so even when I got back, my friends could see I was not right, but because of what had happened, you know, trauma silences you as well, the embarrassment, so I went into silence, I didn't say anything."
Following the public release of the podcast episode, the group issued an official statement confirming Moshine's departure.
"To our supporters and everyone who stood by us, we see you, and we appreciate you more than words can express. We've noticed the questions and the concern, and we feel it's important to address things with clarity and respect you deserve.
"Witness The Funk (WTF) and Nhlakanipho Shongwe (Moshine) have officially parted ways. We are no longer affiliated in any capacity. This was not a decision made lightly. We gave everything we had on our end, time, effort, chances and grace, but despite our best efforts, it simply did not work out. We hold no ill will, but we must be honest about where things stand.
"We understand that many of you love Moshine and expected him to continue as part of this group. We acknowledge that, and we respect the connection you feel. However, this chapter has closed, and we are moving forward with purpose, with passion and with all of you by our side."
The group concluded their statement by requesting that publications, promoters, bookers and industry stakeholders cease tying Moshine's name to the WTF brand moving forward.
"We have cut ties officially, and we ask that this be respected across the board. We wish Moshine nothing but the very best. We sincerely hope the road ahead brings him everything he's working towards," the statement read.