BY: Saneliso Mlambo
Amanda Black, a South African artist, has turned to Instagram to counter baseless allegations that she was sexually abused by fellow musician Sjava. In her statement, Black reiterated that these charges are completely false, and she has no idea where they came from.
The suspicions circulated on social media, and many demanded that Amanda Black clarify the allegations, forcing her to confront the situation publicly in order to clear her name.
Amanda Black’s choice to publicly refute the allegations emphasizes the difficulties that artists confront when dealing with unsubstantiated rumors, as well as the significance of addressing such situations immediately in order to maintain personal and professional credibility.
The most famous rape charges against Sjava stem from his prior relationship with Lady Zamar. Lady Zamar accused Sjava of sexual assault in 2017, which prompted a police inquiry in 2019. Sjava has continually disputed the charges, saying, “I did not rape her.” In 2020, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) rejected to pursue Sjava, citing insufficient evidence for a successful trial.