Nzuzo Njilo’s alleged business partner says he was also scammed

Controversial businessman Nzuzo Njilo — who is also the husband of influencer and reality TV star, Faith Nketsi — is being thrown under the bus by his business partner, Luntu Maxegwane.

The Durban-based businessman, who owns a company called Maxbu Projects, was recently accused by a woman named Mala Gwarule of working with Njilo to scam her. However, in an interview with Zimoja, Maxegwane says he, too, was scammed.

BUSINESS PARTNER CLAIMS HE IS ALSO A VICTIM

Whilst still living in Johannesburg, Maxegwana says that he worked with Njilo as he was advised that he is the perfect person to help him get into the logistics industry. Upon working with Njilo — who is the son of former Msunduzi Local Municipality mayor, Themba Njilo — Maxegwne says he found someone who owned a truck that they would use to transport coal for the mining industry.

“I did that and found Samkelo Gwala. In this deal, I was going to be the middle man, so every month I would get a commission of R30 000 for my company,” he was quoted as saying; adding that he was never paid for the first month.

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This is when he was contacted by Gwarule, who alleges that she was also swindled. Maxegwane says that he was informed by Gwarule that Gwala’s truck was hers. Gwala reportedly broke out of the deal, which was now between Gwarule, Njilo and Maxegwane.

According to the alleged victim, for three months he was not receiving his cut of the deal as Njilo allegedly claimed the truck was not operational. However, Gwarule would tell him that according to her tracker, the truck was working.

Gwarule claims that he was later cut off by Njilo and Gwarule who both stopped taking his calls.

“Where did he get Mala’s number to contact her? They had a relationship that I know nothing about. They did not call me. I am not hiding, I am in Durban and she can open a case and this needs to stand in court and the law takes its course. As for me, I need my name cleared from the entire mess,” he said.

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The businessman, who denies being Njilo’s business partner, says he is taking legal action against Gwarule for tarnishing his image.

When Gwarule spoke to Zimoja last week, she implicated Maxegwane, claiming he worked with Njilo to scam her out of her truck.

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NJILO OUT ON BAIL

On Friday, 28 April, Njilo appeared at the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court where he was granted R30 000, while his co-accused, Kwanda Ntshangase, received R3 000 bail.

According to a statement by KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, Njilo and his accomplice reportedly masqueraded as salesmen who pretended to sell a truck in May 2021.

“The unsuspecting buyer allegedly went and physically viewed the truck at a dealership in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, and later paid the two a substantial amount of money. The truck was never delivered,” read the statement. 

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Njilo has a pending fraud case in Johannesburg. The matter is currently before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

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City Press reported that Lund Industries owners, Blaine Evans and James Stephens, opened a case of fraud against the businessman for an outstanding debt of approximately R1 million. The pair allegedly paid him for copper concentrate, which he never delivered in August last year.

Ofentse Nkgwang, who is Njilo’s lawyer, said he is set to appear in Randburg, Johannesburg, on 19 May.