DJ Sbu in MoFire…

Published May 3, 2015

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Johannesburg - THE arrest on drunk driving allegations of troubled radio DJ and musician DJ Sbu Leope brings to a climax what has been a difficult year for the self-styled businessman.

Leope was nabbed about 4am on Saturday in the Randfontein area, west of Johannesburg. The news of his latest brush with the law was broken by Kaya FM on Saturday.

According to a source, the DJ was returning from a gig in Westonaria when police pursued him after learning that he had allegedly been driving recklessly and running red traffic lights.

Leope was driving his white Porsche, which has since been impounded by the Krugersdorp police. The witness said police could not hold the DJ in the Randfontein cells as they were being refurbished, so he was held at the Krugersdorp police station.

According to police spokesman Kay Makhubela, Leope faces a charge of drunk driving.

“He will appear in court after his blood samples come back from the forensic laboratories. His bail has been set at R1 500,” said Makhubela.

This is not the first time the DJ has been on the wrong side of the traffic laws.

In 2007, the DJ was caught travelling at 257km/h between the Grasmere tollgate and the Golden Highway in Joburg.

He was fined R7 000 after pleading guilty.

In 2012 it was alleged he was involved in a collision with a vehicle carrying three ADT guards. One of the guards was injured and Leope allegedly fled the scene. It is understood his then-girlfriend, actress Terry Pheto, had been with him in his car.

Last year, while driving to Polokwane, the DJ was nabbed for speeding on the N1 in Pretoria. He was driving at 176km/h in a R120km/h zone and was released on R1 000 bail.

It is alleged that several hours after his arrest in Randfontein, the police had yet to get a statement from the musician.

Given that Leope is a repeat offender, there is a chance that he will get a tough penalty.

“His past offences will make a strong case for the prosecutors, but I can’t say what will happen to him. That is up to the courts,” said Makhubela.

“As police we have done our part and we know he will face the full extent of the law.”

The arrest is another addition to Leope’s list of problems of late.

He was recently fired from Metro FM after promoting his energy drink at the Metro FM Music Awards earlier this year without the broadcaster’s consent.

The SABC has said the DJ will be asked to pay advertising fees for all the occasions that he used Metro FM to promote his drink.

In another incident, the DJ got into a tussle with Forbes magazine after an edited picture showing him on the publication’s cover surfaced on the internet.

The two parties reached an agreement after Forbes threatened to sue him.

Further allegations about Leope misrepresenting relationships with organisations emerged only days ago, with Nike and Unicef distancing themselves from claims he had made.

Also, SABS has said that, contrary to his claims, it has not approved or certified his latest entrepreneurship project, the Mofaya energy drink.

Since being fired by Metro FM, Leope has joined radio personality Gareth Cliff at CliffCentral.com.

Leope and his management could not be reached for comment on Saturday night.

The Sunday Independent

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