US rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is finally facing his reckoning. After being arrested on 16 September 2024, he’s now standing trial for charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking, kidnapping, and prostitution-related crimes.
We first told you about this case last year. Since then, things have escalated dramatically. And now, Combs is before a US court in what could become one of the most high-profile criminal trials of the decade.
But here’s the thing: if these events had played out in South Africa, would justice look the same? Let’s unpack what’s happening — and how Mzansi’s justice system stacks up.
What exactly is Diddy being accused of?
Diddy’s being prosecuted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act. It’s a law usually used to dismantle criminal syndicates, gangs, and mob bosses. It allows prosecutors to charge not just individuals but the broader network that enabled their crimes.
Prosecutors allege that Diddy used his businesses and employees to run a criminal enterprise that enabled drug use, sexual abuse, witness intimidation, and trafficking. At the centre of the case are so-called “freak offs” — drug-fuelled sex parties where victims were allegedly coerced into sex acts with male sex workers while Diddy watched, sometimes filming without consent and using the footage for blackmail.
If convicted of racketeering or sex trafficking, Combs could face a life sentence. Just one sex trafficking conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years, meaning he’d likely be behind bars until his 70s.
For context: R. Kelly was sentenced to 31 years. NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere got 120 years.
If this happened in South Africa, would it be the same outcome?
The Diddy case has sparked serious debate about whether justice systems hold powerful men accountable. In the US, Combs is facing trial after years of investigation. But in South Africa, the same might not happen. And in many cases, it hasn’t.
We spoke to Anathi Phela, a law lecturer at the University of Fort Hare. He puts it plainly:
“In the States… they were never deterred by the fact that this person was a celebrity.”
In contrast, he says, South Africa may claim legal equality in theory, but the practice is far messier.
“On paper, we say there’s a right to equality. So your celebrity means nothing. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the reality on the ground.”
We’ve seen these cases before… and watched it fizzle
Need examples? Back in 2006, Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo accused then ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma of rape. What followed was a storm of public attacks. She was shamed, threatened, and received no support from the ANC Women’s League. She was so afraid for her life that she had to leave the country. Zuma was acquitted and later became South Africa’s president.
And then there’s Okmalumkoolkat (real name Smiso Zwane). In 2016, he was convicted of sexual assault while in Australia for a music festival. Under the Australian justice system, he was sentenced to six months, with five months suspended. Yet, when he came back home, he was welcomed with open arms as if nothing had happened.
And it does not end there. Jub Jub, a rapper and TV presenter, faced rape, attempted murder, and assault charges. But in June 2024, the charges were dropped. In a letter to Jub Jub’s lawyers, TJ Mbodi, acting deputy director of public prosecution in Joburg, wrote:
“After careful perusal of the above mentioned police docket… this office has decided to withdraw the charges against the accused as there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.”
Why is it so hard to get justice in South Africa?
South African law takes a firm stance against sexual violence. The Sexual Offences Act of 2007 defines a wide range of sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault, and exploitation, and makes it clear that consent must be voluntary. It also outlines the responsibilities of officials in handling such cases. Importantly, the law allows for lifelong imprisonment in cases of rape.
So why is justice rarely heard about?
Between April 2022 and March 2023, over 53,000 sexual offences were reported. On average, 114 people reported being raped every single day. However, experts believe the actual numbers are much higher, as many survivors don’t report what happened.
And out of all those cases? Only 410 rapists were arrested. Just 68 got life sentences.
A report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment sheds light on how gender plays a part in this.
“The gendered impact of corruption is related to societal gender roles, social inequality and discrimination. Women’s disadvantages in many areas of life result in greater vulnerability to corruption compared to men, who enjoy more power and protection, and better access to countervailing strategies, including the justice system.”
It’s not just gender. It’s resources.
The system is under pressure. There are court backlogs, budget shortages, and a shortage of investigators. In 2022, the Minister of Justice admitted that only 19% of reported cases made it to court.
“When we have a situation where the police or the criminal justice system is not responsive, people are going to be reluctant to report,” said Bernedette Muthien, Executive Director of NGO Engender.
Celebrities can afford strong legal teams. Others work with government-assigned options. If a victim walks into court with an overwhelmed lawyer, and the accused arrives with a top legal team, it’s easy to see how the scales are tipped.
Many survivors of sexual violence don’t even open cases. Some are discouraged by police officials, while others fear being shamed or threatened. And so, justice never sees the light of day.
Diddy trial recap: what’s happened so far?
- 5 May 2025: Jury selected. Diddy appears in court after being detained since September 2024.
- 9 May: Motion to dismiss some charges (on racial bias grounds) denied. “It’s the severity of what Combs allegedly did — not his race — that mattered,” Judge Arun Subramanian wrote.
- 12 May: Opening statements reveal video evidence of abuse; witnesses testify to paid sex acts and blackmail.
- 13 May: Cassie Ventura testifies about “Freak Offs” and coercion. During her first “Freak Off,” Ventura said she was 22 years old and “confused, nervous, but also loved him very much.”
- 16 May: Cassie, now nine months pregnant, finishes testifying. Her lawyer later released a statement: “This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing… I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors.”
- 19 May: Diddy’s former protégé Dawn Richard testifies. She alleges Combs frequently assaulted Ventura, saying: “He would punch her, choke her, drag her, slap her in the mouth… kick her, punch her in the stomach.” Richard also says the violence was random and unprovoked.
The difference is stark. In the US, Diddy’s trial is ongoing, witnesses are testifying, and justice, however slow, is in motion. In South Africa, it’s easy to imagine the case stalling.
Powerful men accused of horrific crimes have walked away here before — untouched and undeterred. The question isn’t just whether South Africa’s laws are strong enough. They are. The question is: will we ever have a system brave and resourced enough to enforce them?
Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.
Diddy’s on trial. In South Africa, he might not be.
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US rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is finally facing his reckoning. After being arrested on 16 September 2024, he’s now standing trial for charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking, kidnapping, and prostitution-related crimes.
We first told you about this case last year. Since then, things have escalated dramatically. And now, Combs is before a US court in what could become one of the most high-profile criminal trials of the decade.
But here’s the thing: if these events had played out in South Africa, would justice look the same? Let’s unpack what’s happening — and how Mzansi’s justice system stacks up.
What exactly is Diddy being accused of?
Diddy’s being prosecuted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act. It’s a law usually used to dismantle criminal syndicates, gangs, and mob bosses. It allows prosecutors to charge not just individuals but the broader network that enabled their crimes.
Prosecutors allege that Diddy used his businesses and employees to run a criminal enterprise that enabled drug use, sexual abuse, witness intimidation, and trafficking. At the centre of the case are so-called “freak offs” — drug-fuelled sex parties where victims were allegedly coerced into sex acts with male sex workers while Diddy watched, sometimes filming without consent and using the footage for blackmail.
If convicted of racketeering or sex trafficking, Combs could face a life sentence. Just one sex trafficking conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years, meaning he’d likely be behind bars until his 70s.
For context: R. Kelly was sentenced to 31 years. NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere got 120 years.
If this happened in South Africa, would it be the same outcome?
The Diddy case has sparked serious debate about whether justice systems hold powerful men accountable. In the US, Combs is facing trial after years of investigation. But in South Africa, the same might not happen. And in many cases, it hasn’t.
We spoke to Anathi Phela, a law lecturer at the University of Fort Hare. He puts it plainly:
“In the States… they were never deterred by the fact that this person was a celebrity.”
In contrast, he says, South Africa may claim legal equality in theory, but the practice is far messier.
“On paper, we say there’s a right to equality. So your celebrity means nothing. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the reality on the ground.”
We’ve seen these cases before… and watched it fizzle
Need examples? Back in 2006, Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo accused then ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma of rape. What followed was a storm of public attacks. She was shamed, threatened, and received no support from the ANC Women’s League. She was so afraid for her life that she had to leave the country. Zuma was acquitted and later became South Africa’s president.
And then there’s Okmalumkoolkat (real name Smiso Zwane). In 2016, he was convicted of sexual assault while in Australia for a music festival. Under the Australian justice system, he was sentenced to six months, with five months suspended. Yet, when he came back home, he was welcomed with open arms as if nothing had happened.
And it does not end there. Jub Jub, a rapper and TV presenter, faced rape, attempted murder, and assault charges. But in June 2024, the charges were dropped. In a letter to Jub Jub’s lawyers, TJ Mbodi, acting deputy director of public prosecution in Joburg, wrote:
“After careful perusal of the above mentioned police docket… this office has decided to withdraw the charges against the accused as there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.”
Why is it so hard to get justice in South Africa?
South African law takes a firm stance against sexual violence. The Sexual Offences Act of 2007 defines a wide range of sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault, and exploitation, and makes it clear that consent must be voluntary. It also outlines the responsibilities of officials in handling such cases. Importantly, the law allows for lifelong imprisonment in cases of rape.
So why is justice rarely heard about?
Between April 2022 and March 2023, over 53,000 sexual offences were reported. On average, 114 people reported being raped every single day. However, experts believe the actual numbers are much higher, as many survivors don’t report what happened.
And out of all those cases? Only 410 rapists were arrested. Just 68 got life sentences.
A report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment sheds light on how gender plays a part in this.
“The gendered impact of corruption is related to societal gender roles, social inequality and discrimination. Women’s disadvantages in many areas of life result in greater vulnerability to corruption compared to men, who enjoy more power and protection, and better access to countervailing strategies, including the justice system.”
It’s not just gender. It’s resources.
The system is under pressure. There are court backlogs, budget shortages, and a shortage of investigators. In 2022, the Minister of Justice admitted that only 19% of reported cases made it to court.
“When we have a situation where the police or the criminal justice system is not responsive, people are going to be reluctant to report,” said Bernedette Muthien, Executive Director of NGO Engender.
Celebrities can afford strong legal teams. Others work with government-assigned options. If a victim walks into court with an overwhelmed lawyer, and the accused arrives with a top legal team, it’s easy to see how the scales are tipped.
Many survivors of sexual violence don’t even open cases. Some are discouraged by police officials, while others fear being shamed or threatened. And so, justice never sees the light of day.
Diddy trial recap: what’s happened so far?
The difference is stark. In the US, Diddy’s trial is ongoing, witnesses are testifying, and justice, however slow, is in motion. In South Africa, it’s easy to imagine the case stalling.
Powerful men accused of horrific crimes have walked away here before — untouched and undeterred. The question isn’t just whether South Africa’s laws are strong enough. They are. The question is: will we ever have a system brave and resourced enough to enforce them?
Lona Sokanyile
Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.
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