LIFE WITH SOMIZI

Actor and influencer Mohale Motaung opens up about his stormy marriage to the entertainer

- SIPHOKAZI ZAMA

THE leaked tape exploded on social media as soon as it was posted and was viewed thousands of times in a matter of hours. Comments from viewers flew thick and fast some supportive, some vitriolic, others disbelieving.

Somizi Mhlongo's alleged physical attacks on his husband, Mohale Motaung, were practically all everyone could talk about, and days later the fallout showed little sign of abating.

Mohale made bombshell claims that Somizi abused him from the start of their relationship. He alleged the 49-year-old Idols SA judge and media personality broke his ribs and knocked out two teeth in a jealous rage.

A Sunday tabloid leaked audio clips in which Mohale (27) also claimed the entertainer wanted an open relationship and often asked if he could bring sex partners into their marital home for steamy sessions.

As the scandal continued to swirl, Somizi denied everything and took a break from the public eye to deal with his personal matters. But he recently unpacked some of the drama in the latest season of his reality show, Living the Dream with Somizi.

Mohale stayed silent when he was accused of being a gold-digger who married the veteran entertainer simply for money and fame. Now he's sharing his side of the story in his own reality programme, Mohale on the Record. The Showmax show has viewers buzzing as it delves into their divorce drama.

Mohale tells YOU that he's not speaking out to bash his estranged husband.

"I respect Somizi very much. We had a lot of fun; we learnt a lot about each other. I was truly in love," he says.

"But I think it's important for me to tell my truth. As a young black gay man I know that there are a lot of people who've gone through what I've been through and never get the chance to get that healing or closure or even have a chance to speak up.