Walking into Newcastle Magistrate’s Court in handcuffs on Monday morning, 29 September 2025, social media personality Simphiwe “Sbali” Mlambo briefly surveyed the courtroom, taking note of those present before stepping into the dock.
Mlambo, who was born with dwarfism, rose to prominence as a social media figure celebrated for his resilience and comedic content.
He gained national attention through platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, and notably with “The Battle of Abaphansi,” an amateur boxing match against Thabo “The Terrible” Mokoena, also living with dwarfism. Marketed as “the shortest match ever,” the 2020 bout concluded with Mlambo’s third-round knockout victory, earning him the title “champion of abaphansi.”
Despite his online popularity, Mlambo now faces allegations of sexually harassing a 13-year-old girl, reportedly reaching under her skirt and touching her underwear.
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The bail hearing drew significant attention and left the victim’s family visibly distressed. As Mlambo was instructed to stand before the magistrate, he made a brief remark that he was already standing, eliciting suppressed laughter in the courtroom until order was restored by the magistrate’s firm response.
Mlambo’s Legal Aid attorney requested that the bail application be postponed, citing concerns about his mental state. “I have been in contact with my client, and he does not seem to fully understand why he is actually here. On top of this, his family has said he has not been home for sometime and it was speculated that substance use might have had an impact, which is why we would like to call for a psychiatric assessment,” the defence stated.
The magistrate granted the request, setting the next hearing for 13 October 2025 and ordering that Mlambo remain in custody until that date. The State highlighted that Mlambo had initially provided a false residential address, a factor that weighed against his release.
Additionally, the victim’s aunt, Zethembiso Ndabezitha, expressed frustration at the postponement.
“My niece is still traumatised from what has happened, and it seems as if some form of leniency is now going to be shown to Mlambo. It really seems as if this case is now going to drag because of this, and there is nothing wrong with him mentally, he went to a normal school and led a normal life before this,” she said.
She further emphasised that, despite the delay, the family had received considerable support from the local community. “Community members are really supporting my niece, and our family, during this difficult time, with community members wanting justice as much as we do,” she added.
The forthcoming psychiatric assessment is expected to play a decisive role in determining whether Mlambo will remain in custody or be granted bail pending trial, reflecting the court’s careful consideration of both procedural fairness and the severity of the allegations. The outcome will have significant implications for the victim’s family and the wider community closely monitoring the case.
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