The High Court in Thohoyandou has deferred the sentencing of comedian and social media personality Livhuwani “SABC Livhu” Madadzhe to Friday following procedural issues that arose during proceedings on Tuesday.
Madadzhe, who has already admitted guilt on two fraud charges, is accused of staging his mother’s death in order to unlawfully claim insurance benefits while she was still alive. He appeared before Judge Thogomelani Tshidada when the matter was postponed.
The delay followed the filing of several conflicting legal applications by the accused. These included a challenge lodged at the Constitutional Court against the judge’s earlier decision to cancel his bail, alongside a separate request made to the High Court for a pre-sentencing report.
Judge Tshidada instructed Madadzhe to clarify his legal representation status after his defence lawyers withdrew from the case. The judge also warned that pursuing matters simultaneously in different courts is not allowed, describing the approach as improper and amounting to “forum shopping.”
The court agreed to postpone the matter to Friday to allow Madadzhe time to decide how he intends to proceed.
During the same appearance, Madadzhe asked for permission to visit his newborn child, who was born on Christmas Day. The request was denied, with the judge explaining that any visit would have to be arranged through the correctional facility where Madadzhe is currently detained.
Madadzhe is additionally facing an unrelated murder charge connected to the 2023 death of his partner, Lindelani Nengovhela. That case is still pending before the courts.
